Silent pheochromocytomas

A pheochromocytoma (PC) is a tumor that develops from chromaffin tissue and can potentially cause excessive production of catecholamines (adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine). It develops in the adrenal medulla, and extra-adrenal localization is called paraganglioma (PGL). Generally, PGLs in the head and neck are non-secreting, while those in other thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic locations may be secreting. It is a serious tumor that can be life-threatening due to its cardiovascular complications. The clinical presentation of P mainly depends on their ability to synthesize and release catecholamines (noradrenaline, adrenaline, and dopamine), with signs and symptoms mainly related to the resulting stimulation of adrenergic receptors. The silent nature can be clinical (known as asymptomatic) and/or biological [10]. In this book, we will discuss adrenal PS and try to understand the clinical and paraclinical characteristics of this entity, as well as how to manage it, based on physiology and pathophysiology.