Primary vesical pheochromocytoma

Abstract

Pheochromocytoma of the urinary bladder is a rare neoplasm that often occurs with the unique symptom complex of micturitional attacks due to increased catecholamine secretion during detrusor activity. Analysis of 3 of our patients is added to a discussion of 97 cases reported in the world literature. Therapeutic decision is complicated by the absence of unequivocal histologic criteria of malignancy for these tumors. Future perspectives in determining the malignant potential of pheochromocytoma are presented and our treatment plan elaborated.