OBJECTIVE: To report our experience of 41 patients with phaeochromocytoma. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Teaching hospital, United Kingdom. SUBJECTS: Forty-one patients who presented with phaeochromocytoma 1970-1991. INTERVENTIONS: Removal of tumour (n = 38). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mortality, morbidity, and recurrence. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients had sporadic tumours, five had the multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 2 syndrome, and two had non-MEN familial phaeochromocytoma. Thirty-six patients (88%) presented with symptoms of catecholamine excess, and 37 (90%) were hypertensive. The diagnosis was confirmed biochemically in 37. Tumours were located using computed tomography (n = 26), vascular studies (n = 11), and ultrasonography (n = 3). Thirty-eight patients had their tumours resected, of whom 10 (27%) developed complications. There were no postoperative deaths. Two patients were managed conservatively, and one died before diagnosis. Six patients developed recurrent tumours a mean of five years after the initial operation, and another patient had an inoperable tumour at initial diagnosis; four of these seven died from metastatic disease. Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scans were positive in three of the patients who developed recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with phaeochromocytoma can now be operated on safely but prolonged follow-up is essential.
OBJECTIVE: To report our experience of 41 patients with phaeochromocytoma. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Teaching hospital, United Kingdom. SUBJECTS: Forty-one patients who presented with phaeochromocytoma 1970-1991. INTERVENTIONS:Removal of tumour (n = 38). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mortality, morbidity, and recurrence. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients had sporadic tumours, five had the multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 2 syndrome, and two had non-MENfamilial phaeochromocytoma. Thirty-six patients (88%) presented with symptoms of catecholamine excess, and 37 (90%) were hypertensive. The diagnosis was confirmed biochemically in 37. Tumours were located using computed tomography (n = 26), vascular studies (n = 11), and ultrasonography (n = 3). Thirty-eight patients had their tumours resected, of whom 10 (27%) developed complications. There were no postoperative deaths. Two patients were managed conservatively, and one died before diagnosis. Six patients developed recurrent tumours a mean of five years after the initial operation, and another patient had an inoperable tumour at initial diagnosis; four of these seven died from metastatic disease. Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scans were positive in three of the patients who developed recurrences. CONCLUSIONS:Patients with phaeochromocytoma can now be operated on safely but prolonged follow-up is essential.
Authors: Frederieke M Brouwers; Jacques W M Lenders; Graeme Eisenhofer; Karel Pacak Journal: Rev Endocr Metab Disord Date: 2003-05 Impact factor: 6.514
Authors: Philip C Johnston; Karen R Mullan; A Brew Atkinson; Fiona C Eatock; Helen Wallace; Moyra Gray; Steven J Hunter Journal: Ulster Med J Date: 2015-05