Adrenal gland tumors

I have just had a positive urine test for pheochromocytoma.  My assumption is that  a c-scan will confirm this as I have all the classic symptoms.  My question is how serious is the surgery, and how do I go about finding the best place to have the surgery done.  I currently live in central Florida and have only been here 2 years.  Is this the kind of thing you go out of state for or are there certain places that have aquired a reputation for this time of surgery and have a better success rate than others.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
Pheochromocytomas are rare tumors.  The incidence is about 1 per 100,000 adults per year.  
Pheochromocytomas may be malignant, with the incidence of malignancy to be as low as 5% and as high as 46%.
I'm assuming you had 24-hour urine level of metanephrines and catecholamines as initial test.  CT scan or MRI can localize the tumor.
You can ask your surgeon how many cases of adrenalectomy he has already performed so as to gauge his expertise.
Good luck.