Adrenal dysfunction & Tumors

Thyroid Cancer:
Thyroid cancer is the most common type of endocrine cancer and is in most cases, curable. It occurs when malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissue of the thyroid gland, a butterfly shaped organ at the base of the neck along the windpipe that makes and secretes a hormone that regulates metabolism and can affect the function of nearly every other organ in the body. Certain inherited disorders may increase an individual’s risk for developing thyroid cancer.
Parathyroid Tumors:
The parathyroid glands are four pea-sized organs usually found in the neck behind the thyroid gland that produce a hormone that regulates the body’s use and storage of calcium. Parathyroid tumors are usually benign (non-cancerous). Parathyroid cancer is extremely rare.
Adrenal Cancer (Adrenocortical Carcinoma):
Most adrenal tumors are benign. Adrenal Cancer is a rare disease that occurs in the adrenal cortex, which is the outer layer of the adrenal gland. The body’s two adrenal glands are small, triangle shaped glands that sit on top of each kidney and are responsible for making important hormones. A tumor of the adrenal cortex may be functioning (makes more hormones than normal) or non-functioning (does not make more hormones than normal). Certain inherited disorders may increase an individual’s risk for developing adrenal cancer.
Pheochromocytoma:
Pheochromocytomas are tumors of the inner layer of the adrenal gland. Paragangliomas are tumors arising from sympathetic ganglia and cells of neural crest embryologic origin. Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas are tumors that produce excess catecholamines that can cause high blood pressure, headaches, heart palpitations and sweating.
Neuroendocrine and Pancreas Neuroendocrine Tumors:
Neuroendocrine tumors begin in cells of the body’s neuroendocrine system, which is responsible for releasing hormones into the blood in response to signals from the central nervous system. Neuroendocrine cancers are rare tumors. They can be found all over the body and are most commonly found in the abdomen. Neuroendocrine tumors may be further classified as carcinoid tumors or pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) when they occur in the pancreas. Certain inherited disorders may increase an individual’s risk for developing neuroendocrine tumors.