Summary
Overgrowth in hormone-secreting glands can produce excess hormones, as in pituitary adenomas.
In depth
Examples: pituitary adenomas (prolactinoma), thyroid cancer, phaeochromocytoma (adrenaline excess), insulinoma and MEN syndromes (RET mutations). Diagnosed by hormone assays and imaging; treated by surgery, drugs or radiation.
Hormone-secreting tumours cause syndromes of excess; non-secreting ones compress tissue. Genetic syndromes predispose to endocrine tumours.
Key idea: diagnosis is by hormone tests and imaging.
Tumours can arise in any hormone-producing gland, causing problems by excess hormone secretion or by mass effects. Pituitary adenomas (usually benign) can produce prolactin (prolactinoma, causing infertility and milk production), GH (acromegaly) or ACTH (Cushing disease); they may compress the optic chiasm, causing vision loss.
Other examples include thyroid nodules and cancers, adrenal tumours (phaeochromocytoma, with excess adrenaline causing hypertension), insulinomas (hypoglycaemia), parathyroid adenomas (high calcium) and neuroendocrine tumours. Inherited syndromes such as MEN1 and MEN2 involve mutations in MEN1 and RET genes. Treatment includes surgery, drugs and radiotherapy.
Example: prolactinomas are treated with dopamine agonists such as cabergoline.
Frequently asked questions
What is Endocrine Tumours?
Overgrowth in hormone-secreting glands can produce excess hormones, as in pituitary adenomas.
Which area of biology covers Endocrine Tumours, and how advanced is it?
Endocrine Tumours is one of the 54 topics in Reproduction & Endocrinology. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis, Negative Feedback in Endocrine Control, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
Why does Endocrine Tumours matter?
Symptoms reflect the hormone involved.
Can you give an example of Endocrine Tumours?
Prolactinomas can be shrunk with dopamine agonists.
What should I learn before Endocrine Tumours?
Work through the Beginner topics in Reproduction & Endocrinology first, such as Reproduction, Asexual Reproduction, Sexual Reproduction, then return to Endocrine Tumours. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
What topics are related to Endocrine Tumours?
The closest topics to Endocrine Tumours are Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis, Negative Feedback in Endocrine Control, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Hormone Receptor Regulation. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Endocrine Tumours?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Endocrine Tumours. To practise the whole of Reproduction & Endocrinology, use the Reproduction & Endocrinology quiz.
How is Endocrine Tumours different from Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis?
Endocrine Tumours: Overgrowth in hormone-secreting glands can produce excess hormones, as in pituitary adenomas. Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis: The hypothalamus controls the anterior pituitary, which signals target glands through trophic hormones. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Endocrine Tumours step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Reproduction & Endocrinology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.