Pregnancy and Pheochromocytoma

Determining the etiology of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy (HDPs) is important to reduce maternal and fetal mortality. Pheochromocytoma is included in the differential diagnosis of hypertension during pregnancy, which is a rare neuroendocrine tumor but has a high mortality. Pheochromocytoma may not present a specific symptom or finding during pregnancy and may be detected just before birth. Characteristic paroxymal attacks such as palpitations, sweating, headache and severe hypertension attacks may indicate pheochromocytoma. In pregnant women who are considered to have an increased risk of developing a pheochromocytoma, 24-hour urinary fractionated metanephrines and catecholamine levels are measured for diagnosis. To detect tumor localization, ultrasonography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are used as imaging method. Although surgical removal is the main treatment of pheochromocytoma, alpha-blockers are used for hypertension. In pregnant women, the timing of tumor surgery varies according to gestational age, the severity of maternal symptoms and the risks of termination of pregnancy. In hypertensive cases during pregnancy Pheochromocytoma is a rare, potentially life-threatening tumor that should be kept in mind. Today in these patients, fetal and maternal mortality can be reduced with appropriate treatment. For the proper management and treatment of pheochromocytomas, multidisciplinary team working is essential in the tertiary health centers