What is the Difference Between Conn’s Syndrome and Pheochromocytoma

The key difference between Conn’s syndrome and pheochromocytoma is that Conn’s syndrome is a condition due to the overproduction of aldosterone, which controls sodium and potassium in the blood, while pheochromocytoma is a condition due to the overproduction of adrenaline and noradrenaline, which control many body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar.

Adrenal glands are small, triangular-shaped glands located on top of both kidneys. They produce hormones that help control metabolism, the immune system, blood pressure, stress, and other bodily essential functions. Conn’s syndrome and pheochromocytoma are two medical conditions that particularly affect the adrenal glands. However, Conn’s syndrome mainly affects the adrenal cortex, while pheochromocytoma mainly affects the adrenal medulla.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Conn’s Syndrome 
3. What is Pheochromocytoma
4. Similarities – Conn’s Syndrome and Pheochromocytoma
5. Conn’s Syndrome vs. Pheochromocytoma in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Conn’s Syndrome vs. Pheochromocytoma

What is Conn’s Syndrome?

Conn’s syndrome is a condition in which one or both adrenal glands produce too much of a hormone called aldosterone. This condition is also known as primary aldosteronism. In some cases, Conn’s syndrome is a result of benign tumors in one or both adrenal glands, and in some cases, it occurs due to inherited genetic disorders. The typical symptoms of Conn’s syndrome may include high blood pressure with low potassium, excessive thirst, fatigue, frequent urination, headache, muscle cramps, visual disturbances, and general weakness or tingling. The complications resulting due Conn’s syndrome include heart attack, irregular heartbeat, kidney failure, stroke, and temporary paralysis.

Moreover, Conn’s syndrome can be diagnosed through blood electrolytes tests, CT scans, X-rays, MRI scans, and genetic testing. Furthermore, Conn’s syndrome is treated through medications like spironolactone or eplerenone, which block the effects of aldosterone, removing the problematic adrenal gland surgically, and lifestyle changes such as frequent exercise, limiting alcohol, reducing sodium in the diet, and stopping smoking.

What is Pheochromocytoma?

A pheochromocytoma is a condition usually due to a noncancerous tumor that develops in the center of the (medulla) adrenal gland. This tumor develops in specialized cells called chromaffin cells located in the center of an adrenal gland.  Chromaffin cells primarily release certain hormones like adrenaline and noradrenaline. Therefore, pheochromocytoma causes more of these hormones to be released. The signs and symptoms of pheochromocytoma may include high blood pressure, headache, heavy sweating, rapid heartbeat, feeling shaky, pallor, shortness of breathing, panic attack, anxiety, blurry vision, constipation, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and an extreme drop in blood pressure upon standing suddenly. The complications resulting from pheochromocytoma include heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and problems with the nerves of the eye.

Moreover, pheochromocytoma can be diagnosed through urine tests, blood tests, CT scans, MRI scans, M-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) imaging, and PET scans. Pheochromocytoma is treated through surgery to remove the tumor, targeted therapies, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

What are the Similarities Between Conn’s Syndrome and Pheochromocytoma?

• Conn’s syndrome and pheochromocytoma are two medical conditions that particularly affect the adrenal glands.
• Both conditions can be due to adrenal gland tumors.
• They can result in complications.
• Both conditions can be diagnosed through blood tests and imaging tests.
• They are mainly treated by surgically removing the tumor or adrenal glands.

What is the Difference Between Conn’s Syndrome and Pheochromocytoma?

Conn’s syndrome is a condition that is due to the overproduction of aldosterone, which controls sodium and potassium in the blood, while pheochromocytoma is a condition due to the overproduction of adrenaline and noradrenaline, which control many body functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar. Thus, this is the key difference between Conn’s syndrome and pheochromocytoma. Furthermore, Conn’s syndrome mainly affects the adrenal cortex, while pheochromocytoma mainly affects the adrenal medulla.

The infographic below presents the differences between Conn’s syndrome and pheochromocytoma in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Conn’s Syndrome vs Pheochromocytoma

Adrenal glands are endocrine glands located on top of the kidneys. Adrenal glands produce many important hormones, including cortisol, aldosterone, and adrenaline. Conn’s syndrome and pheochromocytoma are two medical conditions that particularly affect the adrenal glands. Conn’s syndrome mainly affects the adrenal cortex, while pheochromocytoma mainly affects the adrenal medulla. In Conn’s syndrome, one or both adrenal glands produce too much aldosterone, which controls sodium and potassium in the blood, whereas, in pheochromocytoma, one or both adrenal glands produce too much adrenaline and noradrenaline, which control many body functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar. So, this summarizes the difference between Conn’s syndrome and pheochromocytoma.

Reference:

1. “Conn’s Syndrome.” UT Southwestern Medical Center.
2. “Pheochromocytoma.” National Cancer Institute.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Primary aldosteronism (1) adrenocortical adenoma” (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Histopathology of pheochromocytoma” By Mikael Häggström – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia