pheo

noun

ˈfē-(ˌ)ō 

plural pheos

medical : pheochromocytoma

There are rare tumors—pheochromocytoma—that secrete high levels of adrenaline, and such tumors can cause this combination of high blood pressure and orthostatic hypotension. … But if the patient did have a "pheo" (as it's called), that could explain why her symptoms became so much worse after her heart attack.

—Lisa Sanders

Word History

Etymology

by shortening

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

pheo

noun

ˈfē-(ˌ)ō 

plural pheos

: pheochromocytoma

There are rare tumors—pheochromocytomas—that secrete high levels of adrenaline, and such tumors can cause this combination of high blood pressure and orthostatic hypotension. … But if the patient did have a "pheo" (as it's called), that could explain why her symptoms became so much worse after her heart attack.

—Lisa Sanders