Cancer

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  • QCan endocrine cancers be prevented?
    2 Answers
    A
    Dr. Ajay K. Sahajpal, MD - Sioux Falls, SD - Transplant Surgery
    A Transplant Surgery, answered on behalf of
    In general, most endocrine cancers are hereditary and can't be prevented but can be screened for such as Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndromes (MEN). Others can be sporadic and like other cancers have environmental influences like smoking.
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  • QCan pancreatic endocrine islet cell tumors be prevented?
    1 Answer
    A
    Good Samaritan Hospital
    A answered

    Disease prevention strategies usually involved avoiding risk factors. The only risk factor for pancreatic endocrine islet cell tumors is the genetic disorder multiple endocrine neoplasia. Accordingly, there are no prevention strategies for the disease.

  • QWhat increases my risk for parathyroid cancer?
    1 Answer
    A
    Good Samaritan Hospital
    A answered

    Your genetic makeup may put you at risk for parathyroid cancer. Certain genetic disorders, while rare, can lead to the condition. If someone in your family has familial isolated hyperparathyroidism or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, be sure to tell your doctor. Exposure to radiation can also put you at risk for parathyroid cancer. Monitor your thyroid and parathyroid glands for cancer if you were treated for acne or another condition with radiation.

  • QWhat causes parathyroid cancer?
    1 Answer
    A
    Good Samaritan Hospital
    A answered

    While the exact cause of parathyroid cancer is unknown, some genetic conditions may lead to the disease. People with familial isolated hyperparathyroidism or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 may be at a higher risk for parathyroid cancer. Some cases of parathyroid cancer may also be caused by exposure to radiation.

  • QHow do I manage my parathyroid cancer on a daily basis?
    1 Answer
    A
    Good Samaritan Hospital
    A answered

    Follow your doctor's recommendations for treatment if you are diagnosed with parathyroid cancer. Also talk with your doctor about lifestyle changes you can adopt to help control complications of parathyroid cancer, such as hypercalcemia. Work out an exercise regime with your doctor to strengthen your bones, and do not ingest too much calcium or vitamin D.

  • QWhat is a paraganglioma?
    1 Answer
    A
    American Association of Endocrine Surgeons
    A answered
    Paragangliomas are rare tumors that grow in cells of the peripheral nervous system (the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord). The peripheral nervous system can be divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Sympathetic paraganglioma may make too much adrenaline (parasympathetic paraganglioma do not). Adrenaline is a hormone that affects such bodily functions as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, digestion, sweating, urination, and sexual arousal. Adrenaline is said to control the fight or flight response, or in other words, it gets your body ready to react to stressful situations. Adrenaline is normally released from the adrenal medulla when there is danger or an emergency situation. In addition to raising heart rate and blood pressure, adrenaline opens air passages to allow in more oxygen, and boosts the supply of oxygen and glucose (sugar) to the brain and muscle.
  • QHow do endocrine cancers affect the body?
    1 Answer
    A
    Good Samaritan Hospital
    A answered

    Different endocrine cancers affect the body in different ways, depending on the particular endocrine gland involved and what it normally does. For example, parathyroid glands regulate calcium in the body. Parathyroid cancer can cause too much calcium in the blood, which in turn can cause excessive urination, dehydration, sleepiness, weakness, kidney stones, bone fractures, and more. The adrenal gland regulates hormones that can affect puberty, body hair, and weight, so adrenal cortical cancers can cause these body functions to go wrong - early puberty, for example, or abundant facial hair in women. Endocrine cancers can spread to other parts of the body, and they can be fatal.

  • QHow should I exercise if I have parathyroid cancer?
    1 Answer
    A
    Good Samaritan Hospital
    A answered

    Parathyroid cancer affects the level of calcium in your body. If you have parathyroid cancer you should exercise in order to maintain bone strength. Talk with your doctor about the right regime for you. How much exercise and what kind you should do depends on your overall health.

  • QWhich tests can detect the spread of adrenocortical carcinoma?
    1 Answer
    A
    Riverside Cancer Care Center
    A answered

    The process used to find out if cancer has spread within the adrenal gland or to other parts of the body is called staging. The following tests and procedures may be used in the staging process:

    CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, such as the abdomen or chest, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) with gadolinium: A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. A substance called gadolinium may be injected into a vein. The gadolinium collects around the cancer cells so they show up brighter in the picture. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI). Adrenal angiography: A procedure to look at the arteries and the flow of blood near the adrenal gland. A contrast dye is injected into the adrenal arteries. As the dye moves through the blood vessel, a series of x-rays are taken to see if any arteries are blocked. Adrenal venography: A procedure to look at the adrenal veins and the flow of blood near the adrenal gland. A contrast dye is injected into an adrenal vein. As the contrast dye moves through the vein, x-rays are taken to see if any veins are blocked. A catheter (very thin tube) may be inserted into the vein to take a blood sample, which is checked for abnormal hormone levels. Cavagram: A procedure to look at the inferior vena cava and the flow of blood through the inferior vena cava. A contrast dye is injected into a blood vessel. As the contrast dye moves through the blood vessel to the inferior vena cava, a series of x-rays are taken to see if there are any changes to the inferior vena cava and the flow of blood through the inferior vena cava. Ultrasound exam: A procedure in which high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) are bounced off internal tissues or organs, such as the vena cava, and make echoes. The echoes form a picture of body tissues called a sonogram.

    This answer is based on source information from the National Cancer Institute.
  • QWhat are the factors that affect the prognosis of adrenocortical carcinoma?
    1 Answer
    A
    Riverside Cancer Care Center
    A answered

    The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following:

    • The stage of the cancer (the size of the tumor and whether it is in the adrenal gland only or has spread to other places in the body).
    • Whether the tumor can be completely removed in surgery.
    •  Whether the cancer has been treated in the past.
    •  The patient's general health.
    Adrenocortical carcinoma may be cured if treated at an early stage.

    This answer is based on source information from the National Cancer Institute.