[Pheochromocytoma: diagnosis and treatment]

Phaeochromocytoma is a rare tumour which produces a variety of symptoms. The most important factor is to think of the diagnosis, and there are many biochemical and pharmacological tests as well as radiological procedures to confirm it. Once the phaeochromocytoma is localised, it should, if possible, be removed. Surgery is the treatment of choice. In 1972 Ross described the diagnosis and therapy as "think of it, confirm it, find it and remove it". Today, 28 years later, this paper reviews the diagnosis and therapy of phaeochromocytoma under these key headings.