Pheochromocytoma tumor secretion involves which hormones?

Pheochromocytoma tumor secretion involves which hormones?

• A. Cortisol
• B. Epinephrine and norepinephrine
• C. Aldosterone
• D. Insulin

Answer: (B)

Pheochromocytoma overproduces catecholamines from the adrenal medulla, mainly epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones drive the classic sympathetic symptoms—episodic hypertension, headaches, sweating, and tachycardia—by increasing heart rate, vascular tone, and metabolic activity. Cortisol and aldosterone come from the adrenal cortex (steroid hormones), and insulin comes from pancreatic beta cells, so they aren’t the hormones secreted by pheochromocytoma. Dopamine can be produced in some cases, but epinephrine and norepinephrine are the hallmark secretions. In practice, clinicians test for elevated catecholamines or their metabolites (metanephrines) in plasma or urine to confirm the diagnosis.

Pheochromocytoma overproduces catecholamines from the adrenal medulla, mainly epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones drive the classic sympathetic symptoms—episodic hypertension, headaches, sweating, and tachycardia—by increasing heart rate, vascular tone, and metabolic activity. Cortisol and aldosterone come from the adrenal cortex (steroid hormones), and insulin comes from pancreatic beta cells, so they aren’t the hormones secreted by pheochromocytoma. Dopamine can be produced in some cases, but epinephrine and norepinephrine are the hallmark secretions. In practice, clinicians test for elevated catecholamines or their metabolites (metanephrines) in plasma or urine to confirm the diagnosis.