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...
Date First Received: November 3, 1999
Last Updated: March 3, 2008
Verified by: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC), November 1999
Clinical Trial Phase: N/A | Start Date: October 1988
Overall Status: Completed
Estimated Enrollment: 240
Brief Summary
Official Title: “Diagnosis and Treatment of Pheochromocytoma”
Condition Keyword(s):
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.
Study Type: Observational
Study Design: N/A
Detailed Clinical Trial Description
Patients suspected of having a pheochromocytoma will be studied via a series of tests in an attempt to ascertain biochemically whether or not they really have such a tumor. These procedures will include a standard clonidine suppression test and a standard glucagon stimulation test. Once the diagnosis has been made on the basis of biochemistry, then localization and therapy will be done via standard procedures. Measurement of plasma metanephrines on mailed samples is available for physicians who seek further evidence for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.
Criteria for Participation in this Clinical Trial
- 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.
Gender Eligibility for this Clinical Trial: Both
Minimum Age for this Clinical Trial: N/A
Maximum Age for this Clinical Trial: N/A
Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted for this Clinical Trial?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Clinical Trial Sponsor Information
Lead Sponsor: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Related Publications
References
Elijovich F. Plasma metanephrines in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. Ann Intern Med. 1996 Apr 1;124(7):694-5. No abstract available.
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.
Amery A, Conway J. A critical review of diagnostic tests for pheochromocytoma. Am Heart J. 1967 Jan;73(1):129-33. Review. No abstract available.
Additional Information
Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on August 29, 2008
Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record. http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00001229
Study ID Number: 880189
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00001229
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
Clinical Trials Authorship and Review
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