The hormones produced by pheochromocytoma cause high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and, in some cases, heart damage. Often the hormone secretion is more dangerous than the tumor itself. Pheochromocytomas in some cases can metastasize like other cancers.

Symptoms

Patients with a pheochromocytoma may experience intermittent headaches, heart palpitations, and sweating.  The spells may vary in occurrence from monthly to several times per day, and the duration may vary from seconds to hours. Typically, the spells worsen with time, occurring more frequently and becoming more severe as the tumor grows.