Long term follow-up after surgical removal of pheochromocytoma--observations in 61 patients

89 patients were operated on for pheochromocytoma. 61 patients (37 women and 24 men) were available for extended follow-up. The final survey, performed 79.1 +/- 66.9 months postoperatively, provided data on survival, blood pressure tumor recurrence, malignant metastatic lesions, cardiovascular complications and coexisting diseases. There were 4 deaths during the follow-up period, including 2 instances of malignant pheochromocytoma. Permanent normalization of blood pressure was achieved in 38 patients (62.3%). This hypotensive effect was noted in 79.2% of patients with preoperative paroxysmal hypertension and in 40.8% of those with sustained hypertension. Permanent or re-developing postoperative hypertension was noted in 23 (37.7%) patients. This includes 4 cases of malignant pheochromocytoma, 4 cases of recurrent benign pheochromocytoma and 15 cases of essential hypertension. Cardiovascular complications during follow-up were rare and concerned the patients with essential hypertension diagnosed postoperatively.