Adrenaline phaeochromocytomas secreting

Increased levels of adrenaline are secreted in tumours of the sympathetic nervous system (phaeochromocytoma and neuro-... 

Examples of secondary causes are Cushing s syndrome, phaeochromocytoma, hyperaldosteronism, renal disease or use of oral contraceptives and corticosteroids. (Phaeochromocytoma is a benign tumour of the adrenal glands resulting in excessive secretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline. See Chapter 6.)... 

Medulla Phaeochromocytoma Excessive adrenaline secretion Surgical removal of adrenal gland... 

Measurement of the catecholamines and a variety of the intermediate metabolites in blood or tissue is common in psychiatric and neurochemical research. In clinical chemistry the major interest in catecholamine metabolism surrounds the detection and location of the tumors of neural crest origin -phaeochromocytoma and neuroblastoma. These tumors are fortunately rare but their identification is important because if treated promptly they may be curable. Phaeochromocytoma is associated with secretion of adrenaline and/or noradrenaline into the bloodstream and can either be detected by the increase in the parent compounds or by increased VMA excretion. The most common presentation by the patient is hypertension unresponsive to conventional therapy. Neuroblastoma is the commonest malignant soft tissue tumor of childhood, arising from ectodermal neuroblasts. These tumors secrete abnormally high concentrations of dopamine which is largely metabolized to HVA. 

Hamrin, B., Sustained hypotension and shock due to an adrenaline-secreting phaeochromocytoma, Lancet, 1962, p. 123. 

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