Familial Bilateral Pheochromocytoma with Medullary Carcinoma of the Thyroid

The Second Kindred of Familial Pheochromocytoma in Japan

Abstract

The second kindred of familial pheochromocytoma in Japan was reported. Bilateral pheochromocytomas were found in the elder and the youngest sister. In the other members of this family, no pheochromocytoma and thyroid tumor was found. Medullary thyroid carcinoma was removed before adrenalectomy in both patients. Diagnostic and therapeutic problems in these cases were discussed. It was our conclusion that once pheochromocytoma, especially in bilateral, or thyroid tumor has been found in either normotensive or hypertensive patients, other members of the family as well as the patient should be examined carefully for similar tumors. Tyramine test was less valuable for screening of paroxysmal type of pheochromocytoma.