Endocrine Cancers
At West Cancer Center, endocrine cancers are treated using a team-based approach. Our providers work closely with endocrine specialists in the community to develop personalized treatment plans based on each patient’s unique diagnosis and needs. Endocrine cancers can affect several hormone-producing organs, including the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pituitary glands, and pancreas. Our team is committed to providing expert, compassionate care throughout every step of your treatment.
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 at West
Thyroid exam and ultrasound, blood tests, fine-needle aspiration biopsy, and selected molecular or staging tests.
Treatment Options
• Surgery
• Radioactive iodine for selected patients
• Thyroid hormone therapy
• Radiation therapy
• Targeted therapy
• Systemic treatment for selected patients
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 at West
Ultrasound, calcitonin and CEA blood tests, fine-needle aspiration, RET genetic testing, and 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 at West
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 at West
Hormone blood/urine tests, CT or MRI, endoscopic ultrasound, receptor imaging, and 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 at West
Hormone blood/urine tests, adrenal CT or MRI, staging imaging, and pathology.
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 at West
Plasma or urine metanephrines followed by CT/MRI; functional imaging and 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
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 at West
Pituitary hormone testing, MRI, visual-field testing, and pathology when surgery is performed.
Treatment Options
Treatment is based on tumor size, type, and hormone activity.
• Observation
• Hormone-directed medicines
• Transsphenoidal surgery
• Radiation therapy
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 at West
Blood calcium and PTH levels, neck imaging, and surgical pathology; needle biopsy is usually avoided when cancer is suspected.
Treatment Options
• Complete surgery is the main treatment
• Additional surgery for recurrent disease
• Selected radiation therapy
• Medicines to control high calcium