Management of pheochromocytoma

The fundamental principles of pheochromocytoma management are reviewed. These are a high index of clinical suspicion; biochemical confirmation of the diagnosis; preoperative localization and pharmacologic treatment with alpha-adrenergic blockers (and occasionally with beta-adrenergic blockers and/or alpha-methylparatyrosine); meticulous anesthesia and intraoperative cardiovascular monitoring; and attention to the surgical principles of wide exposure, careful dissection and complete exploration, early interruption of tumor vasculature, and delivery of the tumor with the capsule intact. For malignant lesions, the roles of pharmacologic management (alpha- and beta-adrenergic blockade, alpha-methylparatyrosine, and drugs for heart failure, diabetes, and pain), teleradiotherapy, radiopharmaceutical treatment with I-131 MIBG and chemotherapy (with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and dacarbazine) are discussed.