Pheochromocytoma : Mnemonics

Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine-producing tumor arising from chromaffin cells of the sympathetic nervous system derived embryologically from the primitive neural crest cells.

Sites:

1. Adrenal medulla (most common)
2. Organ of Zuckerkandl, i.e. ganglia at bifurcation of aorta (second most common)
3. Paragangliomas (anywhere along parasympathetic chain)

Clinical features

Mnemonic: 5 H or 7 P’s

5 H	7 P
Hypertension	Paroxysmal rise in pressure (BP)
Headache	Pain (headache)
Hyperhidrosis	Perspiration (hyperhidrosis)
Hyperglycemia	Pallor
Hypermetabolism	Palpitation
	Pain (abdomen)
	PMV in urine

Rule of 10s

1. 10% are bilateral
2. 10% are extra-adrenal
3. 10% are malignant (higher in extra-adrenal – upto 40%)
4. 10% are familial
5. 10% are pediatric
6. 10% are calcified

Inherited syndromes of (Familial) Pheochromocytoma

1 – NF 1

2 – MEN 2

3 – VHL (3 letter word and Chromosome 3) and MEN 3