Pheochromocytoma of urinary bladder: robot-assisted resection

Pheochromocytoma (paraganglioma) is a hormonally active tumor originating from the chromaffin tissue of the sympathoadrenal system, secreting a large amount of catecholamines. In the overwhelming majority of cases, this tumor is located in the adrenal glands; however, as early as 1953, I.J. Zimmerman et al. first described a clinical observation of a paraganglioma of the bladder. Since then, there have been publications in the global literature regarding the treatment of around 250 cases of this pathology. The diagnosis of bladder pheochromocytoma is often made late, even in the presence of the typical clinical symptoms described above. Early diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors in atypical locations can be achieved by conducting tests for catecholamines, chromogranin A, and metanephrines in blood and urine. Given the rarity of this location, the complexity of diagnosis, preparation for surgery, and intraoperative challenges, this topic remains relevant. The removal of bladder pheochromocytoma can be performed through a transabdominal approach using modern endovideosurgical technologies, particularly the da Vinci robotic system, which ensures rapid resection of the bladder and minimizes the intraoperative hypertensive crises that may arise. This article presents a clinical case of bladder pheochromocytoma with robotic-assisted tumor removal. We present a case of urinary bladder pheochromocytoma with robot-assisted tumor resection.