Endocrine Abstracts

Aim: This study aims to evaluate patients with a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.

Method: This retrospective case–control study includes data from a tertiary endocrine center from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2020. Demographic, laboratory, operation/pathology data of patients with pheochromocytoma were recorded.

Results: A total of 38 patients (20 patients (52.6%) were male) were included in the study. Median age 48 years (17–81) IQR:18. Tumor localization (right/left/bilateral: 23/9/6) was most common on the right at a rate of 60.5%. Six patients had bilateral tumors. Five patients (three from the same family) had MEN 2A syndrome, and one patient had MEN 2B syndrome. All MEN syndromes had medullary thyroid cancer. One patient had pheochromocytoma, medullary thyroid cancer, and parathyroid adenoma. Neurofibromatosis was detected in one patient. Median tumor size was 6,5 cm (1.6-24) IQR: 3.3 Metanephrine level median: 666(18-23115) IQR:2793(52–341 μg/day) Normetanephrine level median: 3342(187-18900) IQR: 3378(88–444 μg/day) All patients had a normal aldosterone/renin ratio. There was no response to dexamethasone suppression in 10.5 percent of the patients. Mean calcitonin level in patients with medullary thyroid cancer: 2306.5. Normetanephrine was elevated in 92% of patients. Metanephrine elevated in 65% of patients. Normetanephrine and metanephrine were found to be elevated at the same time in 80% of those with bilateral masses.

Conclusion: Pheochromocytoma is seen equally in both gender. It is mainly localized in the right adrenal. It often secretes norepinephrine. Epinephrine/norepinephrine is often increased in bilateral disease. MEN syndrome is common in bilateral disease.

Keywords: Pheochromocytoma, adrenal mass, endocrine hypertension