Which statement is true about pheochromocytoma?

Which statement is true about pheochromocytoma?

• A. It is derived from chromaffin cells in the medulla
• B. It arises from adrenal cortex
• C. It is always malignant
• D. It is non-vascular

Answer: (A)

Pheochromocytoma arises from chromaffin cells located in the adrenal medulla, which are neuroendocrine cells that produce catecholamines. This medullary origin explains why these tumors are typically highly vascular on imaging and during surgery. They are not tumors of the adrenal cortex, so arising from the cortex is incorrect. They are not always malignant; most pheochromocytomas are benign, with malignancy defined by the presence of metastases in only a subset of cases. They are not non-vascular—their rich blood supply is a characteristic feature due to their neuroendocrine nature.

Pheochromocytoma arises from chromaffin cells located in the adrenal medulla, which are neuroendocrine cells that produce catecholamines. This medullary origin explains why these tumors are typically highly vascular on imaging and during surgery. They are not tumors of the adrenal cortex, so arising from the cortex is incorrect. They are not always malignant; most pheochromocytomas are benign, with malignancy defined by the presence of metastases in only a subset of cases. They are not non-vascular—their rich blood supply is a characteristic feature due to their neuroendocrine nature.