An overview of endocrine tumours

The endocrine system is made up of endocrine glands. Endocrine glands produce hormones - chemicals that control many of our body's functions. Normally, the hormones released by endocrine glands are carefully balanced to meet the body's needs.

The endocrine glands include the pituitary gland (which lies immediately underneath the brain), the thyroid gland (in the front of the neck), the parathyroid glands (just behind the thyroid gland), and the adrenal glands (on top of the kidneys in the abdomen).

Tumours can occur in endocrine glands. Most endocrine tumours are non-cancerous (benign), but some are cancerous (malignant).

Endocrine tumours are classified according to:

• the particular endocrine glands that are involved
• the type of cell from which the cancer developed
• the part of the body that is affected

We have information on the following types of endocrine tumour:

• Adrenal gland tumours
• Multiple endocrine neoplasia 1 (MEN1)
• Multiple endocrine neoplasia 2 (MEN2)
• Pancreatic cancer
• Parathyroid gland tumours
• Pituitary gland tumours
• Thyroid cancer