What is a common symptom of adrenal medulla tumors like pheochromocytoma?

A common symptom of adrenal medulla tumors, such as pheochromocytoma, is hyperglycemia. This occurs due to the excessive production of catecholamines (such as epinephrine and norepinephrine) by the tumor. These catecholamines play a significant role in carbohydrate metabolism by promoting glycogenolysis (the breakdown of glycogen to glucose) and gluconeogenesis (the formation of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources). As a result, individuals with pheochromocytoma often experience elevated blood glucose levels, leading to hyperglycemia.

While hypotension, frequent urination, and cold intolerance are symptoms that could arise in various conditions, they are not characteristic of pheochromocytoma. In fact, patients typically experience hypertension rather than hypotension, often accompanied by other related symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, and anxiety due to the catecholamine surge. Thus, recognizing hyperglycemia as a hallmark symptom helps clinicians in the diagnosis and management of this type of adrenal tumor.