Pheochromocytoma: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options

When your body suddenly floods your system with adrenaline for no reason, you might feel like you’re having a panic attack—but it could be something more serious: pheochromocytoma, a rare, usually noncancerous tumor that grows on the adrenal glands and overproduces stress hormones. Also known as adrenal chromaffin cell tumor, it’s not common, but when it happens, it can turn everyday life into a rollercoaster of racing heart, sweating, and terrifying spikes in blood pressure. This isn’t just stress. This is your body’s internal alarm system stuck on full blast.

Pheochromocytoma ties directly to catecholamines, the hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine that control heart rate, blood pressure, and energy. When the tumor releases too much of these, your blood pressure can skyrocket to dangerous levels—sometimes over 200/120—even while you’re sitting still. That’s why many people with this condition are misdiagnosed with anxiety or hypertension. But unlike regular high blood pressure, pheochromocytoma episodes come in waves: sudden, intense, and often triggered by stress, physical activity, or even certain foods like aged cheese or coffee. The symptoms don’t fade easily. They leave you drained, shaky, and scared to leave the house.

Diagnosing it isn’t simple, but it’s doable. Doctors start with blood or urine tests to measure catecholamine levels. If those are high, imaging like a CT or MRI scan finds the tumor—usually on one adrenal gland, but sometimes both. It’s not cancer in most cases, but left untreated, it can cause heart damage, stroke, or even sudden death. The fix? Surgery. Removing the tumor often cures it completely. But preparation matters: before surgery, patients take blood pressure meds like alpha-blockers to stabilize their system. You can’t just cut it out—you have to prep it right.

What’s often overlooked is how this condition affects daily life. People with pheochromocytoma learn to avoid triggers—caffeine, intense exercise, even certain medications. Some live for years with undiagnosed symptoms, thinking they’re just "nervous." If you’ve had unexplained spikes in blood pressure, panic attacks with no trigger, or a family history of endocrine tumors, it’s worth asking your doctor. Early detection changes everything.

Below, you’ll find real guides on how this condition connects to other health issues—from how it mimics heart problems to what meds can help manage symptoms before surgery. These aren’t generic articles. They’re practical, detailed, and written for people who need answers, not just definitions.