Non-resectable phaeochromocytoma: long term follow-up

A forty-two year old woman presented with hypertension, trembling, sweating, visual impairment, headache and weight loss. A right adrenal phaeochromocytoma was diagnosed. The tumour could not be resected because it encircled the inferior vena cava. She was treated at first with phenoxybenzamine and propranolol and later with phenoxybenzamine and labetalol. She has remained normo-tensive and free of signs of adrenergic hyperactivity for 11 years. We suggest that pharmacological treatment alone is a valid alternative in cases of phaeochromocytoma who are at high surgical risk or where the tumour is not resectable.