Trends & Statistics

Below, the graph compares the prevalence of pheochromocytoma in Sweden and the USA. The united States has 167% more cases of the disease than Sweden. Since 10% of pheochromocytoma is familial (ie genetically inherited), this discrepancy can perhaps be explained by a higher concentration of the MEN 2 gene in the United States.

Below, the graph compares the prevalence of hypertension in Sweden and the USA. Although hypertension is the chief symptom of pheochromocytoma (see symptoms), no connection is seen between the two on a large scale. Indeed, pheochromocytoma accounts for only 0.1 % of the prevalence of hypertension.

Genetically, the prevalence of pheochromocytoma can be predicted worldwide. The expression MEN 2 is 1:35 000. Since 50% of people with some form of the MEN 2 gene have pheochromocytoma, the prevalence is thus 1:70 000 - roughly 1.5 x 10^-5% of the population. As the examples above show, however, the prevalence is more like 4 x 10^-6%.