Pheochromocytoma: A three-decade clinical experience in a multicenter study

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Surgical Oncology
• Oncology

Background:

• Pheochromocytoma (PCC) is a rare tumor of the adrenal medulla.
• Understanding its clinical and analytical features is crucial for diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the clinical and analytical features of pheochromocytoma (PCC).
• To evaluate diagnostic tests, therapies, and outcomes in surgically treated PCC patients.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter retrospective study involving 106 surgically treated PCC patients.
• Data collected from three Spanish tertiary referral hospitals.

Main Results:

• Most PCCs were large (mean diameter 4.3 cm), symptomatic (62%), and sporadic (83%).
• Familial PCC was associated with younger age and MEN2A. ¹²³I-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy showed 81.9% sensitivity.
• Laparoscopic surgery was performed in 2/3 of patients with low conversion rates; perioperative complications occurred in ~20%.

Conclusions:

• Surgically treated PCCs in Spain are typically large, symptomatic, sporadic, and diagnosed in the sixth decade.
• Hereditary PCC often links to MEN2A; laparoscopic surgery is preferred with low metastatic prevalence.