The measurement of plasma catecholamines can also be of value in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. However, the measurement of plasma catecholamines has limited sensitivity and specificity. Plasma metanephrines have been reported to be more sensitive than plasma catecholamines. When 52 patients with pheochromocytoma were studied, every patient was found to have elevated plasma levels of metanephrines, but 8 had normal levels of plasma catecholamines. Once the diagnosis is confirmed by biochemical determinations the localization and extent of disease should be determined.
Surgical resection is the standard curative modality.
If the primary tumor is localized to the adrenal gland and is benign, then survival is that of the normal age-matched population. Pharmacologic treatment of the catecholamine excess is mandatory and surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy may provide palliative benefit. Management of pheochromocytomas in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 syndromes. Comparison of adrenal and extraadrenal pheochromocytomas. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology.