Description
The catecholamines adrenalin, noradrenalin and dopamine are synthesized in the adrenal medulla, the sympathetic nervous system and in the brain.
They influence virtually all tissues and are involved together with other hormonal and neuronal systems in the regulation of a wide variety of physiological processes. As catecholamines and their metabolites metanephrine and normetanephrine are secreted in increasing amounts in a number of diseases, they may be used by healthcare providers in the aid of diagnosis. In this context, diagnosis and the follow-up of tumor diseases of the nervous system are of special importance. This applies primarily to the pheochromocytoma, but also the neuroblastoma and the ganglioneuroma. Malignant growth is described in 10% of pheochromocytomas. Furthermore, an increase of catecholamines and their metabolites metanephrine and normetanephrine can be observed in the carcinoid.
