Retroperitoneal tumors in children

Pheochromocytoma in childhood

Pheochromocytomas are uncommon tumors of childhood, accounting for 1% of hypertension cases in this age-group. Children have a high incidence of bilateral, multiple, or extra-adrenal tumors and a low incidence of malignancy. Alpha- and beta-blocking agents administered preoperatively have reduced complications markedly. Transabdominal resection is recommended because of the frequent extra-adrenal sites and multicentricity of the tumor in children. The mortality for removal of pheochromocytomas in childhood is currently less than 3%.