Risk Factors for Endocrine Tumors
While the cause of most endocrine tumors is unknown, certain inherited
genetic conditions can increase a person’s risk of developing tumors
in the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, pancreas, or pituitary glands.
For example, multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) Types 1 and 2 are hereditary
syndromes associated with endocrine and neuroendocrine tumors.
Hoag’s Hereditary Cancer Program offers risk assessment counseling and genetic testing to individuals with
a personal or family history of cancer. If you have a family history of
thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, neuroendocrine, or pituitary
cancer, speak with your physician about whether
genetic testing may be appropriate for you.
Diagnosing Endocrine Tumors
Accurate diagnosis and staging of endocrine tumors is critical in developing
an effective treatment plan and achieving the best outcomes. Endocrine
tumors are complex and can be challenging to diagnose. For these reasons,
it is important to seek treatment from a team with high levels of experience
and expertise.
Hoag’s Endocrine Tumors Program team is skilled in the accurate diagnosis
of endocrine tumors. Recent advances in nuclear imaging technology has
improved physicians’ ability to accurately detect and evaluate endocrine
tumors. Hoag is a leader in these progressive techniques and advanced
imaging technology, giving patients every advantage.
Beginning with a thorough evaluation that includes a comprehensive physical
exam, personal medical history review and state-of-the-art diagnostic workup,
Hoag’s multidisciplinary team of endocrine tumor experts carefully evaluate and pinpoint the nature
of the cancer, so the most appropriate personalized treatment options
can be employed.
The following tests may be used to determine if you have an endocrine tumor
and may also be used to see how your cancer is responding to treatment:
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Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to generate pictures of internal organs
and can be used to detect tumors in various locations of the body.
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Endoscopic Ultrasound uses a special endoscope with an ultrasound device placed within the digestive tract.
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Computed tomography (CT) combines special X-ray equipment with sophisticated computers to produce
multiple images useful in the detection of adrenal, thyroid, neuroendocrine,
and pituitary tumors.
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) produces images of the body’s internal structures by passing radio
waves through a powerful magnetic field. This imaging technology is often
used in diagnosing adrenal, thyroid, neuroendocrine, and pituitary tumors.
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PET scans can be useful in determining if tumors are benign or malignant and
if cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
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Gallium 68 Dotatate is a radioactive substance that when injected into the veins, and allow
tumors to be seen by PET/MRI or PET/CT. It is a significant advance in
the detection and evaluation of neuroendocrine and carcinoid tumors. Hoag
is among the first hospitals to offer the advanced imaging technology.
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PET/MRI is a revolutionary hybrid imaging technology that combines magnetic resonance
imaging with positron emission tomography, providing more detailed information
than either technique can alone, in one step. Hoag is the first hospital
on the West Coast to routinely offer MR / PET to patients.
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Laparoscopy may help determine if cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other parts of
the body. A laparoscope is a thin, flexible tube with a small video camera
on the end, which is inserted through a small surgical opening on the
side of the body.
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Blood and Urine Tests may be used to look for high levels of the hormones made by some endocrine tumors.
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Biopsy involves removing a sample of tissue containing the abnormal cells and
evaluating them under a microscope to determine if they are cancerous.
Several different types of biopsies may be used in diagnosing endocrine cancer.