DRG Category: 644

Mean LOS: 5.3 days

Description MEDICAL: Endocrine Disorders with CC

classification section:



Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor, most often located in the adrenal gland, that arises from catecholamine-producing chromaffin cells. Although pheochromocytoma occurs in only 0.1% to 0.3% of all hypertensive patients, hypertension may be fatal if the pheochromocytoma goes unrecognized. These tumors secrete large quantities of epinephrine and norepinephrine, resulting in persistent or paroxysmal hypertension. Pheochromocytomas are vascular tumors that contain hemorrhagic or cystic areas and are most often well encapsulated, with 90% of the tumors being benign. The tumors are generally less than 6 cm in diameter and usually weigh less than 100 g.

Some 80% of these tumors arise from the adrenal medulla and are unilateral. These tumors follow the rule of 10s: 10% occur in children, 10% are bilateral or multiple, 10% are familial, 10% are malignant, 10% recur after surgical removal, and 10% are extra-adrenal. The 10% located in extra-adrenal sites are known as paragangliomas. Complications include cerebrovascular accident, retinopathy, heart disease, metastatic cancer, and renal failure. Patients with pheochromocytoma are also at higher risk for complications during operative procedures, pregnancy, and diagnostic testing.