Petr Macek1, Květoslav Novák1, T. Tomáš Zelinka2, Jiří Widimský2, Tomáš Hanuš1
Catecholamines provoking tumours (KPN) do not appear in practice very frequently. Even these tumours often have characteristic manifestations, a significant expansion might be completely asymptomatic quite frequently. Ongoing research revealed new mutations related to high KPN incidence. Compared to the past, the dogma „10 %“ is not valid any more. In diagnostics the base of biochemical examination is the determination of plasmatic and urinary catecholamines and also of their metabolites metanephrine and normetafnephrine. By determination of the type of produced catecholamine it is sometimes possible to deduce the character of infliction on the basis of secretory and metabolomic phenotypes. From imaging methods the mostly used are computed tomography or magnetic resonance which are often supplemented by functional examination. However, already since the implementation of Averbuch’ protocol it is quite hard to find a more effective scheme for treatment of malignant variants. Solution of KPN has to be done in the work place with appropriate experience, because it requires good preparation by alpha-blockers and adequate operational solutions.