+91 44 4200 4200 
Endocrine Cancer
What is Endocrine Cancer?
Endocrine cancer refers to a group of cancers that develop in the glands that produce hormones. The endocrine system includes glands such as the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, pancreas and others. These cancers can result in the overproduction or underproduction of hormones, leading to a wide range of symptoms.
Signs & Symptoms:
- Unexplained weight changes
- Excessive sweating or heat intolerance
- Fatigue or weakness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headaches or vision changes
- Abdominal pain or swelling
- Skin changes or rashes
- Irregular periods or infertility (in women) and Erectile dysfunction (in men)
Causes
Stages:
- Stage 1: The cancer is small and only in the gland where it started.
- Stage 2: The cancer has grown larger and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage 3: The cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver or lungs.
- Stage 4: The cancer is advanced and may be difficult to treat.
Risk Factors:
- Genetic mutations: Some endocrine cancers are caused by inherited genetic mutations that increase the risk of cancer.
- Exposure to radiation: People who have been exposed to radiation, such as those who received radiation therapy to the head or neck as children, have a higher risk of developing endocrine cancer.
- Family history: People with a family history of endocrine cancer are more likely to develop the disease.
- Age: Endocrine cancer is more common in people over the age of 60.
Prevention, Screening & Diagnosis:
- Understand your family history: Be aware of any history of endocrine cancer in your family
- Regular check-ups: Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider can help detect endocrine cancer early
- Hormone level tests: Hormone level tests can detect abnormalities in hormone levels and help diagnose endocrine cancer.
- Imaging tests: Imaging tests, such as CT, MRI and ultrasound scan can help detect a lump or mass in the endocrine gland.
Treatment options:
- Surgery: Surgery to remove all or part of the endocrine gland is the most common treatment for endocrine cancer.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
- Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy uses drugs that target specific mutations or proteins in cancer cells.
- Hormone therapy: Hormone therapy is used to block the production of hormones that can fuel the growth of cancer cells.
Post-treatment follow-up:
Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider
Hormone level tests to monitor hormone levels
Imaging tests, such as ultrasound, to check for any signs of recurrent cancer
Medications to replace the hormones the endocrine gland would normally produce, if surgery has removed the entire gland.
It’s important to note that early detection and treatment are key for successful outcome for endocrine cancer and regular check-ups are important, it’s also important to consult with an expert endocrinologist/surgeon for a personalized treatment plan that best suits your case.