Anatom3DPhaeochromocytoma & hyperaldosteronism
Phaeochromocytoma et hyperaldosteronismus primarius · Feochromocytom a hyperaldosteronismus
What it is
Adrenal tumours that flood the body with adrenaline or aldosterone — curable causes of high blood pressure.
Symptoms & signs
- Episodes of pounding headache, sweating and palpitations
- very high or erratic blood pressure
- low potassium and muscle cramps in Conn's
🚩 Get help if…
- call 112 / 911 now Sudden pounding headache with sweating and racing heart and very high pressure
- call 112 / 911 now Chest pain, breathlessness or weakness of one side in an attack
- see a doctor soon Muscle weakness or cramps with high blood pressure
- see a doctor soon High blood pressure in a young person or despite three drugs
Where it strikes
- Adrenal medulla
- Adrenal cortex
- Heart & arteries
Medical treatment
- Alpha blockade before beta blockade, then surgery
- spironolactone or adrenalectomy for Conn's
- genetic testing for phaeochromocytoma
Natural & lifestyle
- Screen resistant hypertension rather than adding a fourth drug
- salt moderation
- potassium monitoring
Emerging & experimental
- Radionuclide therapy for malignant phaeochromocytoma
- adrenal vein sampling refinements
Alternative, off-label & anecdotal
Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.
- Low-salt, potassium-rich diet in Conn's — lowers pressure a little mixed evidence
- Stress reduction for 'panic' episodes — misses the tumour; get tested first anecdotal / traditional
ICD codes
- ICD-10 E27.5
- ICD-10 E26.9
- ICD-11 5A75 Adrenomedullary hyperfunction
- ICD-11 5A72.Z Hyperaldosteronism, unspecified