Pheochromocytomas typically grow slowly and take about 5 to 7 years to double in volume.
However, certain factors can affect the rate of growth. These can include:
- a person’s age, as pheochromocytoma tend to grow faster in people under 50
- the size of the mass, with larger masses growing more quickly
According to a 2022 study, masses less than 1 centimeter (cm) in size grew at a rate of about 0.1 cm per year. Masses 2 cm or larger grew 0.3 cm per year.
Treatment for pheochromocytoma usually involves surgery to remove the mass and part of the adrenal gland (partial adrenalectomy) or surgery to remove the entire adrenal gland (adrenalectomy).
Some pheochromocytomas can be malignant and potentially spread to other areas in the body.
If the pheochromocytoma has spread, doctors may also remove other affected tissue, such as lymph nodes, blood vessels, and masses present in other organs.
They may also recommend additional treatment, such as:
- chemotherapy
- radiation therapy
- radionuclide therapy
- medications that inhibit certain receptors
Pheochromocytomas can possibly recur, or come back, after treatment, though they only recur in about
After treatment, doctors typically use regular scans to monitor for recurrence.
Research that followed people who had their pheochromocytoma removed through surgery suggests that recurrence tends to happen about 8 years after surgery for those who experience recurrence.
Continued monitoring after successful treatment can support early detection if the pheochromocytoma recurs.