Diagnosis and treatment of pheochromocytoma. Report of 49 cases

From 1958 to 1990, 49 patients with pheochromocytoma were treated surgically. The tumors were located in the adrenal gland in 34 cases (69.4%) and in the extra-adrenal gland in 15 cases (30.6%). In two cases the tumors were pheochromoblastoma and in 6 cases the tumors were asymptomatic. Determination of urine VMA has a screening value for patients with pheochromocytoma. The corresponding rate was 91.3% by B-ultrasonography to localize the tumor. CT scanning can clearly identify pheochromocytoma of its size and relation to the adjacent organs, which may provide a basis for the selection of operative methods. Administration of alpha-adrenoceptor blocking drugs and expanding blood volume are very important procedures, which can effectively reduce the mortality rate.