Thumbs down for pheochromocytoma surgery in pregnancy: review

Examination of a large cohort backs pharmacotherapy guidelines, researchers say
Clare Pain

Immediate alpha-adrenergic blockade for pheochromocytoma associated with pregnancy is likely to yield a better outcome than surgery, according to the largest cohort study yet on the topic.

The study of the rare condition drew on data for 249 pregnancies in 232 women with pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma (collectively, PPGL) discovered either before (15%) or during (54%) pregnancy or in the year postpartum (31%).