When your body makes too much catecholamine tumor, a rare growth that overproduces stress hormones like adrenaline and noradrenaline. Also known as pheochromocytoma when it starts in the adrenal gland, or paraganglioma when it forms elsewhere in the body, this type of tumor triggers sudden, intense surges of adrenaline that can mimic a panic attack — but with far more dangerous consequences. These tumors don’t always cause symptoms, but when they do, they can send your blood pressure skyrocketing, make your heart race without warning, or trigger crushing headaches and drenching sweats — often in patterns that seem random but are actually tied to the tumor’s hormone bursts.
What makes these tumors tricky is that their symptoms overlap with anxiety, menopause, or even caffeine overload. Many people go years undiagnosed because doctors don’t immediately suspect a tumor. But if you’ve had unexplained high blood pressure that doesn’t respond to standard meds, or episodes of rapid heartbeat with no clear trigger, it’s worth testing for excess catecholamines. Blood or urine tests can measure these hormones, and imaging like CT or MRI can locate the tumor. The key is catching it before it causes heart damage, stroke, or worse.
Once found, most catecholamine tumors are benign and can be removed with surgery. But preparation matters — you need to stabilize your blood pressure and heart rate with specific medications like alpha-blockers before the operation. Skipping this step can turn surgery into a life-threatening event. Even after removal, some patients need ongoing monitoring because these tumors can recur, especially if there’s a genetic link. Family history matters here — if you have a relative with a catecholamine tumor, or conditions like neurofibromatosis or MEN2, your risk goes up.
Below, you’ll find real-world guides on how these tumors are diagnosed, what medications help manage symptoms before surgery, how to spot warning signs others miss, and what to expect during recovery. Whether you’re dealing with unexplained high blood pressure, or you’re a caregiver trying to understand a diagnosis, these posts cut through the noise and give you what actually works — backed by clinical practice, not theory.
