Diagnosis and Treatment of Pheochromocytoma

NCT00001229 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 88018988-H-0189
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 240
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the adrenal gland. This tumor is typically benign (not cancerous) and can be cured by surgical removal. However, pheochromocytomas produce neurohormones called cateholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine). High levels of catecholamines can result in high blood pressure, headaches, sweating, heart palpitations, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms. These tumors are considered dangerous because of their unpredictable behavior. Patients with pheochromocytoma may experience blood pressures high enough to cause a stroke or heart attack in patients. This study is designed to take patients suspected of having pheochromocytoma and confirm the diagnosis. This will be done using a variety of laboratory tests including a clonidine suppression test and glucagon stimulation test. These tests use drugs that can stimulate or reduce the activity of the tumor if it is present in the body. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, patients participating in this study will undergo standard procedures to find the exact location of the tumor and receive standard therapy for the condition.

Conditions

Pheochromocytoma

Keywords

Calcium-Pentagastrin; Clonidine; Glucagon; Pheochromocytoma

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

Patients of any age and either sex who are suspected of having a pheochromocytoma on the basis of one or more of the following: 1. hypertensive episodes in a normotensive subject, 2. abnormal levels of blood and/or urinary catecholamines or their metabolites, or 3. an otherwise unexplained abdominal mass. Patients without any evidence of pheochromocytoma are excluded.

Contact the study team to discuss eligibility requirements. They can help determine if this study is right for you.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI): lead

Study Sites (1)

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Elijovich F. Plasma metanephrines in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. Ann Intern Med. 1996 Apr 1;124(7):694-5. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-124-7-199604010-00019. No abstract available.

  PMID: 8607605 BACKGROUND

• Grossman E, Goldstein DS, Hoffman A, Keiser HR. Glucagon and clonidine testing in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. Hypertension. 1991 Jun;17(6 Pt 1):733-41. doi: 10.1161/01.hyp.17.6.733.

  PMID: 2045133 BACKGROUND

• Amery A, Conway J. A critical review of diagnostic tests for pheochromocytoma. Am Heart J. 1967 Jan;73(1):129-33. doi: 10.1016/0002-8703(67)90318-3. No abstract available.

  PMID: 5333928 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pheochromocytoma

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Paraganglioma; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Neuroectodermal Tumors; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal; Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Neoplasms; Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Sponsor Type: NIH

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 3, 1999
• First Posted: December 10, 2002
• Study Start: October 1, 1988
• Study Completion: January 1, 2001
• Last Updated: March 4, 2008

Record last verified: 1999-11

Locations

US (1)