Endocrine tumors can be classified as either functioning or non-functioning. Functioning tumors have the ability to produce hormones on their own, while non-functioning tumors are those that do not have this ability. 

The most common forms of endocrine cancer occur in one of the major endocrine glands, including the thyroid, pituitary, or adrenal gland.

More rare forms of endocrine cancers include adrenocortical carcinoma, anaplastic thyroid cancer, carcinoid tumors, medullary thyroid cancer, paraganglioma, and parathyroid cancer. 

Adrenocortical Carcinoma occurs when cancerous cells form in the adrenal gland’s outer layer. This cancer is considered rare, and the majority of those diagnosed with it have genetic conditions or familial history of the disease. 

Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer is a rare form of cancer that begins in the thyroid. ATC differs from other thyroid cancers as it has the potential to quickly spread to other parts of the body. 

Carcinoid Tumors are a rare form of neuroendocrine tumor that is most commonly found in the appendix or digestive tract. 

Medullary Thyroid Cancer is a rare form of thyroid cancer that specifically affects C cells in the medulla of the thyroid. MTC is the rarest form of thyroid cancer, with only about 1,000 people diagnosed with the disease annually in the United States. 

Paraganglioma is a rare form of neuroendocrine tumor affecting blood vessels and nerves surrounding the adrenal glands. Paraganglioma is considered very rare, with only 2 out of every 1 million people in the United States being diagnosed annually. 

Parathyroid Cancer occurs when cancerous cells form in the parathyroid glands. The parathyroid glands are located in your neck around the thyroid gland. These glands create hormones that help to keep regular amounts of calcium in your blood. This cancer is considered rare, and the majority of those diagnosed with it have genetic conditions or familial history of the disease. 

What causes endocrine cancers? What puts me at risk?

There is no direct cause of endocrine cancers that has been found. However, certain factors may increase your risk of developing certain endocrine cancers. 

Thyroid Tumors and Disorders - Thyroid tumors, also called nodules, are common. However, only half of those found are cancerous. Thyroid diseases occur five times more often in women then men. 

Adrenal Tumors - Those with certain genetic conditions have higher risks for developing adrenal gland tumors. These conditions include Carney Complex and/or Li-Fraumeni syndrome. 

Pituitary Tumors - Pituitary tumors are primarily found in people over the age of 65. Additionally, the majority of those diagnosed have a familial history of pituitary tumors. 

Neuroendocrine Tumors

The majority of those diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumors, most often pheochromocytoma, are between the ages of 40 and 60. Additionally, the majority of those diagnosed are men. Another considerable risk factor is familial history of neuroendocrine tumors. 

Parathyroid Tumors

The majority of those diagnosed have a familial history of parathyroid tumors 

How do I know if I have endocrine cancer?

Symptoms of endocrine cancer can vary by person and type of cancer. The following symptoms may also resemble other conditions or diseases. If you are concerned about your risk of developing endocrine cancer or presenting any symptoms, it is recommended to consult your primary care physician. 

• Anxiety, depression, and/or significant emotional/mental health changes or symptoms 
• Changes in bladder or bowel habits 
• Confusion 
• Fatigue 
• Reoccurring headaches or migraines 
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Persistent localized pain, especially over any glands
• Presence of a lump in any part of the body
• Sweating
• Unexplained or uncontrollable weight fluctuations
• Vomiting

What is the best way to treat endocrine cancer? 

Endocrine cancer can be treated with a single treatment or a combination of treatments depending on your diagnosed type of endocrine cancer and other health factors. Treatments for endocrine cancer typically include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and/or targeted therapy. Your oncologist will help you select the treatment option that best suits your endocrine cancer and your wishes as the patient. Here are some of the leading treatments for endocrine cancer, all of which are available at South Texas Oncology and Hematology for Cancer Care: 

Chemotherapy 

Chemotherapy drugs look for cells that divide quickly (like cancer cells) and destroy them. It is particularly useful when treating cancer in later stages because it can kill cancer cells throughout the whole body. More than half of cancer treatments involve some kind of chemotherapy, sometimes to completely remove the cancer and sometimes to just slow symptoms. You might have heard of chemotherapy side effects such as hair loss, nausea, or damage to the skin and/or bones. These side effects occur because the tissues in your hair, intestines, skin, and bones are all fast-growing cells and thus might potentially be attacked by chemotherapy drugs. 

Chemotherapy drugs can be taken orally or injected in your veins. Your doctor may recommend chemotherapy before your surgery to shrink the cancer to more easily treat it or following your surgery to decrease the risk of your cancer returning. Chemotherapy may be useful in treating endocrine cancer that is advanced or recurrent, especially if it has spread throughout your body.

Surgical Options 

Surgery as a treatment for endocrine cancer will vary depending on your type of endocrine cancer and its growth. Exploratory surgeries may be used to see the extent of cancer spread. Many endocrine cancers can be treated with minimally-invasive surgical techniques, such as removing portions of the pancreas to aid in hormone balance, removing entire tumors, or relieving symptoms of hormone imbalance. 

Radiation 

Radiation therapies use energy beams like X-Rays and protons to kill cancerous cells. Radiation therapies can be used before surgeries in order to shrink tumors and make them easier to remove. Additionally, radiation may be used to reduce your risk of cancer coming back after surgery. 

Radiation can be received either from a machine outside of your body, or by being placed in your body. With external beam radiation, patients lie down while the machine directs the radiation to specific parts of your body to best treat your cancer. Internal radiation, also called brachytherapy, involves placing a small radiation-filled device in your body.

Hormone Therapy 

The aim of hormone therapy is to lower the hormone levels in the body through taking specific medications. As a result, the cancer cells that require these hormones to continue growing die. Hormone therapies are especially useful in treating endocrine cancers as they deal with the organs and glands that deal with the creation and distribution of hormones. 

Immunotherapy 

Immunotherapy drugs boost your immune system’s natural ability to fight your tumor. Tumors are good at avoiding the body’s immune system, so to improve your body’s response, immunotherapies include a variety of strategies such as adding extra T-cells and antibodies that specifically recognize and attack your tumor, including vaccines, or blocking the signals that would normally tell the immune system to slow down. 

How can I prevent endocrine cancer? 

There is no guaranteed way to prevent endocrine cancers. If you have a familial history of endocrine cancer, one of the best ways to practice preventative care is regular check-ups with your primary care physician. Other key practices to help reduce your risk of developing endocrine cancers are limiting alcohol intake and avoiding smoking. 

References

https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/endocrine-cancer
https://hillman.upmc.com/cancer-care/endocrine-thyroid
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23188-thyroid#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20thyroid%3F,releasing%20(secreting)%20certain%20hormones
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21459-pituitary-gland
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adrenal-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20351026#:~:text=Adrenal%20cancer%20is%20a%20rare,can%20occur%20at%20any%20age
https://www.cancer.northwestern.edu/types-of-cancer/endocrine/adrenocortical-carcinoma.html
https://www.cancer.gov/pediatric-adult-rare-tumor/rare-tumors/rare-endocrine-tumor
https://www.uchealth.org/diseases-conditions/endocrine-cancer/
https://www.uchealth.org/diseases-conditions/endocrine-cancer/
https://www.nm.org/conditions-and-care-areas/cancer-care/head-and-neck-cancers/endocrine-cancer/treatments
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/programs/endocrine-surgery/neuroendocrine-tumor.html