Pheochromocytoma: an animal model.

A reproducible animal model for studying pheochromocytoma is described. Rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC-12 line) maintained in tissue culture and injected subcutaneously into rats produce a functioning tumor at the side of inoculation. Animals harboring these tumors develop alterations characteristic of pheochromocytoma including weight loss, hypertension and a contracted blood volume. This model provides an easily reproducible system for studying the pathophysiologic features of pheochromocytoma.