[Pheochromocytoma. Study of a personal series of 85 cases]

The study of a personal series of 85 cases observed by the same endocrinologist over a period of 40 years shows the modifications of clinical presentation and biological methods of diagnosis and treatment. There is a striking increase in the percentage of patients without any cardiac or vascular manifestations. The methoxyamines assay has the best sensitivity and specificity even in asymptomatic tumors. The recent development of this assay in the blood is very efficient. The tumor may be found with an abdominal CT scan. The use of NMR is not fruitful. The 131I MIBG scintigraphy is necessary if the CT scan is not informative and in malignant forms. The malignancy is more frequent (16.5%) than classical according to the long duration of the disease. The quite good prognosis is improved by the administration of 131I MIBG. The surgery was safer and without mortality over the last 15 years.