Conditions and symptoms
What Is a Pheochromocytoma? Why Labels Mention It
Pheochromocytoma · say it: FEE-oh-KROH-moh-sy-TOH-muhAlso written: phaeochromocytoma, pheo, adrenal tumor
Short answer
A pheochromocytoma is a rare, usually non-cancerous tumour of the adrenal gland that releases too much adrenaline-like hormone.
What it means
A pheochromocytoma is a rare tumour, most often in the adrenal glands above the kidneys. It releases too much adrenaline and noradrenaline, which can cause episodes of very high blood pressure, pounding heartbeat, headache, sweating and anxiety. Most are not cancer. A sudden severe headache with very high blood pressure, chest pain or confusion needs emergency help.
It appears on labels mainly as a contraindication or warning. Some medicines can set off a dangerous surge of blood pressure in a person with an undiagnosed pheochromocytoma, for example metoclopramide, some decongestants, glucagon, and starting a beta-blocker on its own. Labels list it so that prescribers avoid these medicines in people known or suspected to have it.
A related tumour outside the adrenal gland is called a paraganglioma. Neither is the same as the more common causes of high blood pressure.
Where you may see it
- 'Contraindications' sections of metoclopramide and glucagon labels
- Beta-blocker labels (warning about use with pheochromocytoma)
- Adrenal CT or MRI reports and endocrine test results
📄 How it looks on a report
Contraindicated in patients with pheochromocytoma because the drug may cause a hypertensive crisis.
🙅 What it does not mean
- Seeing it on a label does not mean you have it.
- It is not usually cancer.
- Episodes of anxiety or sweating are not usually caused by a pheochromocytoma; it is rare.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Pheochromocytoma”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Carvedilol
A beta-blocker. The FDA lists it as both an alpha-adrenergic blocker and a beta-adrenergic blocker.
- Metoclopramide
A stomach and gut medicine. The label describes it as affecting how the stomach and intestines move. The label does not give an FDA drug class.
- Metoprolol Tartrate
A beta blocker. The label describes it as a selective beta-1 adrenergic receptor blocking agent, which means it mainly blocks beta-1 receptors, found largely in the heart.
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Pheochromocytoma” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- NCI Dictionary definition ↗
US National Cancer Institute: “pheochromocytoma”
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