Pheochromocytoma
Symptoms Signs and symptoms of pheochromocytomas often include: High blood pressure Heavy sweating Headache Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) Tremors Paleness in the face (pallor) Shortness of breath (dyspnea) Less common signs or symptoms may include: Anxiety or sense of doom Constipation Weight loss Triggers of symptomatic spells Spells may occur spontaneously or may be triggered by such factors as: Physical exertion Anxiety or stress Changes in body position Labor and delivery Surgery and anesthesia Causes Researchers don't know what causes a pheochromocytoma. The tumor develops in specialized cells, called chromaffin cells, situated in the center of an adrenal gland. These cells release certain hormones, primarily adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine), that help control many body functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure and blood sugar. The role of hormones Adrenaline and noradrenaline are hormones that trigge