Gender-related differences in the clinical presentation of malignant and benign pheochromocytoma

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Edwin W. Lai - , Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (Author)
  • Shiromi M. Perera - , Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (Author)
  • Bas Havekes - , Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Leiden University (Author)
  • Henri J.L.M. Timmers - , Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Radboud University Nijmegen (Author)
  • Frederieke M. Brouwers - , Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (Author)
  • Beverly McElroy - , Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (Author)
  • Karen T. Adams - , Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (Author)
  • Shoichiro Ohta - , Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (Author)
  • Robert A. Wesley - , National Institutes of Health (NIH) (Author)
  • Graeme Eisenhofer - , Department of internal Medicine 3, Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (Author)
  • Karel Pacak - , Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (Author)

Abstract

Signs and symptoms associated with pheochromocytomas are predominantly caused by catecholamine excess, but tend to be highly variable and non-specific. In this study, we evaluated 23 male and 35 female pheochromocytoma patients for symptoms and signs of pheochromocytoma with special regard to gender-related differences in presentation. Total symptom score comparison between genders showed significant differences (12.0 vs. 7.8, P-value 0.0001). Female patients reported significantly more headache (80% vs. 52%), dizziness (83% vs. 39%), anxiety (85% vs. 50%), tremor (64% vs. 33%), weight change (88% vs. 43%), numbness (57% vs. 24%), and changes in energy level (89% vs. 64%). Females and males displayed comparable biochemical phenotypes (60% and 65% noradrenergic phenotype, respectively). Use of α- and/or β-blockade between males and females did not differ significantly. Subgroup analyses and multiple regression analysis revealed gender differences to be irrespective of benign or malignant disease, use of adrenoceptor-blockade, age and biochemical phenotype. We conclude female patients have significantly more self-reported pheochromocytoma signs and symptoms than male patients irrespective of biochemical phenotype and tumor presentation which may be related to distinct catecholamine receptor sensitivity. Clinicians should be aware of these complaints in female pheochromocytoma patients and offer adequate treatment if indicated.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)96-100
Number of pages5
JournalEndocrine
Volume34
Issue number1-3
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2008
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 18982461

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Catecholamines, Gender, Pheochromocytoma, Symptoms