Hypertensive crises induced by treatment of malignant pheochromocytoma with a combination of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and dacarbazine

Combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and dacarbazine (CVD) is an effective treatment regimen for malignant pheochromocytoma. There have not been any significant acute cardiovascular effects reported following CVD treatment. Among seven patients with malignant pheochromocytoma treated with CVD at our institution, two patients with labile hypertension developed hypertensive crisis following CVD treatment. The marked increase in blood pressure correlated with an increase in urinary excretion of catecholamine metabolites in one patient. Further hypertensive crises following subsequent CVD treatments were avoided by optimizing each patient's antiadrenergic therapy. Similar to the approach used preoperatively for patients with resectable pheochromocytoma, maximal antiadrenergic therapy is essential in preventing hypertensive crises in patients with malignant pheochromocytoma undergoing CVD treatment.