What is Endocrine Cancer?
Endocrine cancer refers to a group of rare cancers that originate in the hormone-producing glands of the body. These include the thyroid, pituitary, adrenal glands, pancreas and others that make up the endocrine system.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of endocrine cancers can vary depending on the gland affected and whether the tumor is producing excess hormones. Common signs include:
- Unexplained weight loss or gain
- Fatigue or weakness
- Headaches or vision changes
- Excessive thirst or urination
- Lumps or swelling in the neck (for thyroid tumors)
- Irregular periods or infertility (in women) and Erectile dysfunction (in men)
Types of Endocrine Cancer
- Thyroid Cancer
- Adrenal Cancer
- Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (PNETs)
- Parathyroid Cancer
- Pituitary Tumors (rarely cancerous)
Causes and Risk Factors
The exact cause of most endocrine cancers is unknown, but several factors may increase risk:
- Genetic mutations or inherited conditions (e.g., Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia types 1 and 2)
- Family history of endocrine or other cancers
- Radiation exposure, particularly in the head or neck
- Age and gender, depending on cancer type (e.g., thyroid cancer is more common in women)
- Chronic hormonal imbalances or endocrine disorders
Treatment options:
Treatment for Endocrine cancer may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The specific treatment recommended will depend on the stage of the cancer, the type of cancer and the overall health of the patient.
- Surgery: Surgery to remove all or part of the affected endocrine gland (depending on the tumor's size and location) is the most common and often the first line of treatment for endocrine cancer.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy involves the use of high-energy X-rays or other forms of radiation to destroy cancer cells or shrink tumors.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing and dividing. It is typically used when endocrine cancer is aggressive or has spread to other parts of the body.
- Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy is a newer form of treatment that uses drugs designed to specifically target genetic mutations, proteins or pathways that cancer cells use to grow and survive.
- Hormone therapy: Hormone therapy is used to block the production of hormones that can fuel the growth of cancer cells.
Our team of specialists at GEM Cancer Centre will guide you in choosing the most effective treatment plan for your individual needs.
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