How does pheochromocytoma affect the body?

Pheochromocytoma increases the production of a hormone that causes irregular blood pressure and heart beat. These symptoms can lead to organ malfunction, irregular breathing, stroke, loss of eye sight, seizure, and death. If your pheochromocytoma remains untreated, you could have permanent damage to your heart and develop diabetes.

Pheochromocytomas that develop outside the adrenal glands are called paraganglioma and can lead to cancer.