This information has been reviewed by:
Melisa Darby, cancer nurse, RN,BN, Grad. Cert. Cancer Nursing
Endocrine cancers are named by the gland in which they begin. Endocrine cancers include pancreatic cancer and thyroid cancer.
The endocrine system is a network of glands that produce hormones and send them around the body through the blood. There are several glands in the system: the pituitary gland, the thyroid gland, the pancreas, the parathyroid glands and the adrenal glands.
Endocrine cancer is cancer that begins in an endocrine gland. The most common sort of endocrine cancer is thyroid cancer, which begins in the thyroid gland.
Some tumours that grow in an endocrine gland are benign, which means they are not cancerous. For example, most pituitary tumours are benign. However, benign tumours are often treated in the same way as cancerous tumours.
Endocrine cancer is rare. Around 330 people are affected by thyroid cancer in Victoria each year, and another 20 or so people by other cancers of the endocrine system.
In most cases of this type of cancer, the cause is not known.
Symptoms depend on where the cancer is growing in the body. A thyroid tumour may cause swelling in the neck, in the area of the thyroid. Other symptoms can include the effects of hormonal changes, which vary considerably from tumour to tumour.
If you have one of these symptoms, but have not been diagnosed with this cancer, remember that it is rare, and your symptom is likely to be due to something else. However, see your doctor if you have any symptom that persists for more than two weeks.
