Pheochromocytoma

This monograph, which was more than five years in preparation, represents a very detailed account of pheochromocytoma, a tumor that is almost invariably lethal if untreated. In addition to its definitive presentation of the subject, this volume contains the most cur rent information regarding the diagnosis and management of pheochromocytoma. It is im portant to reemphasize the seriousness of diagnosing and treating pheochromocytoma with the aphorism of Esperson and Dahl Iversen that although a pheochromocytoma may be morphologically benign it is physio logically malignant (280) and with Aranow's characterization of this tumor as a "veritable pharmacological bomb" (20). If managed ap propriately by a highly skilled and profes sional "bomb squad," this tumor can be re moved and the patient cured in at least 90 percent of cases. The secret lies in first sus pecting and recognizing the patient who has and then offering the ex pheochromocytoma pert management such a patient requires. These facts more than justify this publication, since the internist, pediatrician, obstetrician, ophthalmologist, otolaryngologist, urologist, neurologist, surgeon, anesthesiologist, derma tologist, psychiatrist, radiologist, and also the dentist must be made acutely aware of the varied manifestations of this condition and of the pathologic entities which sometimes co- xiv Preface exist with pheochromocytoma. Furthermore, have included a large number of instructive they should have a thorough knowledge of the figures and have emphasized teaching tables."