What type of treatment do Pheochromocytoma patients usually require?

Prepare for the NBEO Systemic Disease Exam. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions to test your knowledge. Each question includes hints and explanations. Enhance your understanding and readiness for the exam.

Pheochromocytoma is a tumor that arises from the adrenal gland's chromaffin cells, which produce catecholamines such as epinephrine and norepinephrine. Patients with pheochromocytoma typically experience symptoms related to excess catecholamine production, including hypertension, palpitations, and sweating. The definitive treatment for pheochromocytoma is usually surgical removal of the tumor, known as adrenalectomy.

Surgical intervention is necessary not only to remove the source of excess hormone production but also to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications associated with uncontrolled hypertension and other systemic effects. Preoperative management often includes medical therapy to control blood pressure and minimize risks during surgery.

The other treatment modalities listed, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and insulin therapy, are not used as primary treatments for pheochromocytoma. Radiation therapy may be considered in specific cases of malignant pheochromocytoma or when surgery is not feasible, but it is not the standard first-line treatment. Chemotherapy may also be utilized in cases of malignant pheochromocytoma but is not a primary approach for the benign tumors. Insulin therapy is not relevant here, as it is used for the management of diabetes, not hormonal tumors. Hence, surgical removal

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