Milestones in the evolution of phaeochromocytoma diagnosis

The history of the discovery of phaeochromocytoma and the original pathological descriptions are described. The clinical history first described in 1886 later led to the realisation that the clinical symptoms and the raised blood pressure were a consequence of catecholamine and the other hormone production by the tumour. The elucidation of its clinical associations with von Hippel Lindau disease neurofibromatosis, multiple endocrine neoplasias and Carney's triad are detailed. Pathologists and scientists are credited with establishing the current biochemical diagnoses. The developments of magnetic resonance imaging and computerised tomography have allowed accurate anatomical localisation. Gene mutations for the clinical syndromes have been identified over the last 14 years. Thus the diagnosis and treatment of this potentially lethal tumour has been made progressively easier.