Genetic Transmission

Pheochromocytoma is an autosomal disorder, meaning it isn’t associated with a sex chromosome. Accordingly, males and females are equally likely to contract the disease.

Hereditary pheochromocytoma is caused by the Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2 gene (MEN 2). There are two forms of MEN 2: A and B. MEN 2A and MEN 2B both cause the tumour, however, MEN 2B yields a more pronounced phenotype.

Pheochromocytoma is expressed in the phenotype of 50% of individuals with the MEN 2 gene.