Pheochromocytoma and pregnancy: a deceptive connection

A pheochromocytoma in a pregnant patient is one of the most threatening medical conditions for mother, fetus, and physician. Although extraordinarily rare with a frequency of 0.002% of all pregnancies, this tumor is notorious for its devastating consequences. As in non-pregnant patients, the signs and symptoms are quite variable but not specific, with hypertension being one of the most prominent signs. Confusion with the much more prevalent forms of pregnancy-related hypertension is the main cause of overlooking the diagnosis. If undiagnosed, maternal and fetal mortality is around 50%. Conversely, early detection and proper treatment during pregnancy decrease the maternal and fetal mortality to