[Difficulty in diagnosis of pheochromocytomas: ten cases (author's transl)]

Ten cases of atypical pheochromocytomas are reported, and physiopathologic mechanisms of the multiple clinical manifestations of these tumors are discussed. The embryologic origin of pheochromocyte, derived from neural crest, and common metabolic properties of endocrine cells coming from this germ layer, elucidate the coupling of pheochromocytoma with neuroectodermic diseases (neurocristopathic syndromes), and the biosynthetic capacity of these tumors (synthesis of corticotropic activity and thyrocalcitonin are reported). Atypical peripheral effects of pheochromocytoma are discussed: catecholamines are responsible for an unstable hemodynamic state, always threatened by a spontaneous or induced release of amines: then, misleading clinical features occur, which are analysed. A screening and detecting procedure of pheochromocytoma is proposed for these particular forms, which are explained by the common multiple properties of the tumors derived from chromaffin cells.