Endocrine
At West Cancer Center, endocrine cancers are treated using a team-based approach. Our providers work closely with endocrine specialists in the community to provide personalized care for cancers affecting hormone-producing organs, including the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pituitary glands, and pancreas. Because every patient and diagnosis is unique, our team works together to create an individualized treatment plan focused on providing expert, compassionate care.
Papillary and Follicular
Known as differentiated thyroid cancers; they are the most common and usually grow slowly.
Risk Factors
• Prior neck radiation
• Family history
• Certain inherited syndromes
• Female sex
• Increasing age
Common Symptoms
• Thyroid or neck lump
• Neck swelling
• Hoarseness
• Trouble swallowing
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Many cases cause no early symptoms
Diagnosis
• Thyroid examination and ultrasound
• Blood tests
• Fine-needle aspiration biopsy
• Selected molecular or staging tests
Treatment Options
• Surgery
• Radioactive iodine for selected patients
• Thyroid hormone therapy
• Radiation therapy
• Targeted therapy
• Systemic treatment
Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC)
Starts in C-cells that make calcitonin; can be linked to genetic syndromes
Risk Factors
• Inherited RET mutations
• MEN2 syndrome
• Family history
• Sporadic tumor mutations
Common Symptoms
• Neck lump
• Hoarseness
• Trouble swallowing
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Diarrhea or flushing may occur in some cases
Diagnosis
• Ultrasound
• Calcitonin and CEA blood tests
• Fine-needle aspiration
• RET genetic testing
• Staging imaging
Treatment Options
• Surgery is the main treatment for localized disease
• RET-targeted drugs for advanced disease
• Radiation therapy
• Other systemic therapy for advanced disease
Anaplastic
A rare, aggressive, and fast-growing form of thyroid cancer.
Risk Factors
• Older age
• Previous differentiated thyroid cancer
• Longstanding goiter
• Acquired tumor mutations
Common Symptoms
• Rapidly enlarging neck mass
• Pain
• Hoarseness
• Trouble swallowing
• Cough
• Breathing difficulty
Diagnosis
Imaging and biopsy plus molecular testing, including testing for targetable changes such as BRAF.
Treatment Options
• Targeted therapy
• Surgery when feasible
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Airway or symptom support
Functional PNETs
Release excess hormones like insulin (insulinomas) or gastrin (gastrinomas), causing specific symptoms.
Risk Factors
• Inherited syndromes, such as:
• MEN1
• Von Hippel-Lindau
• NF1
• Tuberous sclerosis
• Many cases have no known cause
Common Symptoms
• Symptoms depend on the hormone produced
• Low blood sugar
• Ulcers
• Diarrhea
• Flushing
• Rash
• Weight changes
Diagnosis
• Hormone blood and urine tests
• CT or MRI
• Endoscopic ultrasound
• Receptor imaging
• Biopsy when appropriate
Treatment Options
• Surgery
• Medicines to control hormone symptoms
• Somatostatin analogs
• Targeted therapy
• Radionuclide therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Liver-directed treatment
Adrenocortical Carcinoma
A rare cancer starting in the outer layer of the adrenal gland; can alter hormone levels.
Risk Factors
• Rare inherited syndromes, such as:
• Li-Fraumeni syndrome
• Lynch syndrome
• Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
• MEN1
• Most cases are sporadic
Common Symptoms
• Abdominal or back pain
• Abdominal mass
• Weight changes
• High blood pressure
• Weakness
• Bruising
• Other hormone-related symptoms
Diagnosis
• Hormone blood and urine tests
• Adrenal CT or MRI
• Staging imaging
• Pathology testing
Treatment Options
• Surgery is preferred for localized disease
• Mitotane
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Other systemic therapies for high-risk or advanced disease
Pheochromocytoma
A rare tumor starting in the inner adrenal gland, often overproducing adrenaline.
Risk Factors
• Inherited syndromes, such as:
• MEN2
• Von Hippel-Lindau
• NF1
• SDH-related syndromes
• Some tumors are sporadic
Common Symptoms
• Episodes of high blood pressure
• Headache
• Sweating
• Rapid heartbeat
• Tremor
• Anxiety
Diagnosis
• Plasma or urine metanephrines
• CT or MRI
• Functional imaging
• Genetic testing may be recommended
Treatment Options
• Surgery after appropriate blood pressure preparation
• Standard treatment for localized tumors
• Radionuclide therapy for advanced disease
• Targeted therapy
• Other systemic therapy for advanced disease
Pituitary Tumors
Usually benign adenomas, but rare malignant pituitary carcinomas can occur and affect systemic hormone production.
Risk Factors
• Most cases have no known cause
• MEN1
• Familial pituitary tumor syndromes
• Carney complex can increase risk
Common Symptoms
• Headache
• Vision changes
• Menstrual or sexual-function changes
• Abnormal growth
• Weight changes
• Other hormone-related symptoms
Diagnosis
• Pituitary hormone testing
• MRI
• Visual-field testing
• Pathology when surgery is performed
Treatment Options
• Observation
• Hormone-directed medicines
• Transsphenoidal surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Treatment is based on tumor size, type, and hormone activity
Parathyroid Cancer
A very rare tumor of the parathyroid glands that causes dangerously high calcium levels.
Risk Factors
• Rare hereditary syndromes, such as:
• Hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome
• MEN1
• Many cases have no known risk factor
Common Symptoms
• Weakness
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Increased thirst
• Kidney stones
• Bone pain
• Neck mass
Diagnosis
• Blood calcium and PTH levels
• Neck imaging
• Surgical pathology
• Needle biopsy is usually avoided when cancer is suspected
Treatment Options
• Complete surgery is the main treatment
• Selected radiation therapy
• Medicines to control high calcium