Endocrinol Metab.  2012 Jun;27(2):159-162. 10.3803/EnM.2012.27.2.159.

A Case of Dopamine-Secreting Pheochromocytoma

• Park JK
• Oh HK
• Shon MH
• Kim HH
• Jeon EJ
• Jung ED

• KMID: 1497658
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3803/EnM.2012.27.2.159

Abstract

A pheochromocytoma is a neuroectodermal tumor that originates from the chromaffin cells of the sympathetic system. It has typical symptoms or signs, such as periodic attacks of paroxysmal hypertension, palpitation, headache, and sweating, related to an increased catecholamine secretion. Types of catecholamine secreted from tumors are usually norepinephrine and epinerphrine. There are a few reports of dopamine-secreting pheochromocytoma with absence of other catecholamines secretion. Here, we report the case of a 59-year-old man with dopamine-secreting pheochromocytoma, with no typical symptoms or signs.

Keyword

Dopamine; Pheochromocytoma

MeSH Terms

Catecholamines
Chromaffin Cells
Dopamine
Headache
Humans
Hypertension
Middle Aged
Neuroectodermal Tumors
Norepinephrine
Pheochromocytoma
Sweat
Sweating
Catecholamines
Dopamine
Norepinephrine

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Dynamic adrenal gland computed tomography. 2.7 cm-sized right adrenal mass is seen on pre-enhance phase (A) and arterial phase (B). Adrenal adenoma is highly suspicious.

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  Fig. 2 I131-MIBG scan. No evidence of significant radiotracer uptake in computed tomography-detected right adrenal mass. Lt, left; Rt, right.

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  Fig. 3 Histology. Dopamine-secreting pheochromocytoma (A) shows more strong staining than typical pheochromocytoma (B) and normal adrenal medulla (C) (dopamine IHC stain, × 200).

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