Hypertension secondary to pheochromocytoma

Abstract

If a pheochromocytoma has metastasized or cannot be totally resected, one must remove as much of the tumor as possible to reduce functioning tissue to a minimum. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy have usually proved relatively ineffective. By blocking peripheral effects of catecholamines, chronic medical treatment with phenoxybenzamine has proved very successful in controlling blood pressure and manifestations of excessive circulating catecholamines. Alpha-methyl-L-tyrosine (Demser) has been used effectively to decrease synthesis of catecholamines in patients with pheochromocytoma: unfortunately, it can cause serious side-effects.