21-years-old and dealing with a Pheochromocytoma!

Remember back when you were 21 years old? You were strong, had endless energy, and your whole life ahead of you. The last thing on your mind was worrying about being sick, especially by an adrenal tumor spewing out toxic levels of dangerous hormones!


Well, meet today's patient. He is just 21 years old. For some time before coming to the Carling Adrenal Center, he had experienced heart palpitations (strong heartbeats), excessive sweating and episodes of elevated blood pressure. Fortunately, he had a smart cardiologist who took his symptoms seriously and ordered labs. His catecholamines and metanephrines (adrenaline-type hormones) were more than 10 times normal. An MRI demonstrated a 4.1 cm left adrenal mass. The diagnosis of left adrenal pheochromocytoma was established.


He was started on an alpha blocker called Phenoxybenzamine until he was ready for surgery. If the catecholamines and metanephrines (adrenaline-type hormones) are more than 5 times elevated, we like them to be on an alpha blocker medication prior to surgery and when they travel to Tampa.


The patient did tremendously well. He had a mini back scope adrenalectomy that took just 20 minutes and is now cured of his pheochromocytoma!


Read about mini back scope adrenalectomy (MBSA) here:
https://www.adrenal.com/adrenal-surge...

00:00 Introduction to adrenal case and patient background
00:38 Symptoms and diagnosis of adrenal tumor
01:14 Pre-surgery medication and patient referral
01:50 Surgery details and preparation recommendations