pheochromocytoma

American  

[fee-oh-kroh-moh-sahy-toh-muh] / ˌfi oʊˌkroʊ moʊ saɪˈtoʊ mə /

noun

Pathology.

plural

pheochromocytomas, pheochromocytomata

1. a tumor of the sympathetic nervous system or adrenal medulla, that produces excess norepinephrine and epinephrine and causes hypertension, headaches, nausea, etc.

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Etymology

Origin of pheochromocytoma

1925–30; pheochromocyte a chromaffin cell of the adrenal medulla ( pheochrome chromaffin (< Greek phai ( ós ) dusky + -o- + -chrome ) + -o- + -cyte ) + -oma; compare German Phäochromocytom (1912)

Example Sentences

Could this be a pheochromocytoma — a usually benign tumor that causes the adrenal glands to produce too much of the fight-or-flight hormones?

From New York Times • Mar. 9, 2023

The doctor ordered tests for a pheochromocytoma, a rare, typically benign tumor that originates in one or both adrenal glands, which sit atop the kidneys.

From Washington Post • Apr. 23, 2022

Another specialist worked Franklin up for a pheochromocytoma, a rare adrenal tumor that can cause sweating.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 16, 2021

An EEG test under flickering lights proves that photic epilepsy is wrong, so House moves on to Park’s offering from the DDX: pheochromocytoma, a tumor in the adrenal gland.

From Time • Nov. 8, 2011

Jordan even thought that Jude might have an adrenal cancer called pheochromocytoma, for which he received a full-body MRI scan at Yale.

From Newsweek