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Phaeochromocytoma: current concepts
Author(s) -
Alderazi Yaser,
Yeh Michael W,
Robinson Bruce G,
Benn Diana E,
Sywak Mark S,
Learoyd Diana L,
Delbridge Leigh W,
Sidhu Stan B
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2005.tb06997.x
Subject(s) - metanephrine , pheochromocytoma , medicine , genetic testing , catecholamine , perioperative , normetanephrine , urinary system , paraganglioma , pathology , surgery
The discovery of novel mutations in genes encoding succinate dehydrogenase subunits has revealed that familial phaeochromocytomas are much more common than previously thought. Genetic screening should be offered to patients with apparently sporadic phaeochromocytomas and their first‐degree relatives. An increasing proportion of phaeochromocytomas present preclinically on genetic testing or as “incidentalomas” on abdominal imaging, rather than with classic symptoms and signs. Clinical suspicion should prompt measurement of plasma levels of free metanephrine or 24‐hour urinary catecholamine and metanephrine levels, followed, if positive, by tumour localisation studies. With appropriate perioperative care, surgical management of phaeochromocytomas is safe and effective. Most tumours can be removed laparoscopically.