Clinical course and treatment of pheochromocytomas in children. Analysis of five cases.

Between 1965 and 1990 five children with pheochromocytomas were treated. Clinical course, methods of diagnosis, treatment and results established by follow-up from 6 months to 20 years are presented. Hypertension and headaches occurred in all patients. One child with a malignant form of pheochromocytoma manifested central nervous symptoms imitating epilepsy and additionally diffuse pulmonary metastases were found. One patient had a family history of pheochromocytomas and presented with hypermetabolic state and neurovegetative symptoms. One child had multifocal tumors: two in the posterior mediastinum and one in the retroperitoneal space. All patients were treated by either enucleation of the tumor, tumor excision or adrenalectomy. One child died 12 years after surgery from the rapid progression of pulmonary metastases of pheochromoblastoma present at the time of diagnosis.