Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor which is formed in chromaffin cells of the adrenal glands. Pheochromocytomas are also known as adrenal chromaffin tumors (1). Chromaffin cells are found in the medulla of the adrenal glands (Figure 1). The adrenal glands located just above the kidneys. These cells receive neuronal messages from the brain via neurotransmitters and, as a result of these messages, release hormones in to the bloodstream (Figure 2). The main catecholamines produced in the adrenal glands are dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) (1). Pheochromocytomas cause the adrenal glands to make too much of these hormones, which are called catecholamines. Adrenal glands with pheochromocytomas produce excess catecholamines, which can cause high blood pressure or hypertension (1). High blood pressure that goes untreated can lead to a variety of severe health problems including heart disease and stroke. Typical symptoms of pheochromocytomas include headaches, excessive sweating, pounding of the heart, pain in the chest, and a feeling of anxiety (1).
Pheochromocytomas can be to be inherited and several gene have been identified, that when mutated, lead to pheochromocytoma (Figure 3). The majority of inherited pheochromocytomas are due to mutations in the genes VHL, RET, NF1, and MAX. Pheochromocytoma has been associated with Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2), and neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) is a condition caused by the mutation of the gene VHL, where cysts and tumors grow on the brain, the kidneys, and adrenal glands. Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a condition where tumors develop on the skin and optic nerve and is caused by ...
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... known as alpha blockers. Drugs known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors available can also be used to prevent the formation of hormones by the tumor. In some cases, radiation therapy (using high- dose x-rays or other high-energy rays to kill cancer cells) or chemotherapy (using drugs to kill cancer cells) may be used to treat pheochromocytoma (4).
In general, pheochromocytomas found in the adrenal gland are benign, and can be successfully removed by surgery (4). Patients with recurring pheochromocytoma tumors, tumors that have metastasized or that cannot be removed surgically have outlooks that are fair to poor. Both malignant and benign pheochromocytomas can recur after surgical removal of the tumor. Therefore, long-term follow-up care is very important after surgery to keep the outlooks fair to good with additional medicinal or surgical treatments as appropriate (4).
The Pituitary gland has many functions and regulations that are continuously functioning.However when there is a disruption in those functions there is an imbalance. Prolactinoma is an imbalance caused by a non cancerous tumor. The tumor causes the secretion of prolactin.Prolactin in a type of hormone in which normally stimulates lactation. In turn the body reacts to this hormone prolactin in more than one way.
CAH is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder and males and females are affected in equal numbers. Chromosome 6 is where the group of genes lie that causes the most common forms of CAH. Adrenocorticotropic hormones (ACTH) are released by the anterior lobe in the pituitary gland. Its role is to act on cells of the adrenal cortex which then synthesizes corticosteroids and cortisol. However, those with CAH have insufficient amounts of the enzyme 21-hydroxylase, needed to convert 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) into cortisol.
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 is one of the most common genetic disorders affecting more than 100,000 Americans. Although the majority of cases show a distinct inheritance pattern, still 30-40 percent of cases arise from spontaneous mutation in the Nf1 gene. Common symptoms of the disease include brown spots on the skin known as café au lait spots, neurofibromas, growths on the eyes and optic nerve, and abnormal development of the spine, skull, and tibia. Around 50 percent of patients with Neurofibromatosis type 1 suffer from painful skeletal manifestations due to abnormal development of the bones. The exact cause of the skeletal abnormalities associated with the disease is still unclear, but the lesions are thought to result from bone cell autonomous mutations, in which only the genotypically altered bone cells are affected.
Cancer is a disease in which cells multiply out of control and gradually build a mass of tissue called a tumor. There has been a large amount of research dedicated to the treatment and cure of cancer. Several types of treatments have been developed. The following are just some of the major examples of cancer therapy: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biologic therapy, biorhythms, unconventional treatments, and hyperthermia. Each type of treatment is discussed in detail below.
Tumors and growths of all kinds can form in the thyroid gland. Thyroid tumors are usually benign, which is not cancerous; but doesn’t mean that they can’t be malignant, which are cancerous and spread quickly into nearby tissues and other glandular areas of the body. Thyroid cancer can happen to anyone at any age. According to the Essentials of Human Diseases and Conditions textbook; “The four main types of thyroid cancer are papillary (small nipple-like projections), follicular (saclike balls of cells), medullary (affecting the interior portion of the gland, and anaplastic (loss of differentiations of cells).” (Schell Frazier & Drzymkowski Wist, 2013)
Thyroid caner is a disease in which the cells of the thyroid gland become abnormal, grow uncontrollably and form a mass of cells called a tumor. Some tumors grow and enlarge only at the site where they began. These types of tumors are referred to as benign tumors. Other tumors not only enlarge locally, but they also have the potential to invade and destroy the normal tissues around them and to spread to other regions of the body. These types of tumors are called malignant tumors or cancer.() Malignant tumors of the thyroid gland tend to develop gradually and remain localized. The tumors usually appear as nodules or lumps of tissue growing on or inside the gland itself. Almost 95% of these lumps or nodules are non-cancerous (benign), and are usually caused by thyroid conditions such as goiters (Shin 422). The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 23,600 new cases of thyroid cancer in the U.S. in 2004 (Thackery 1057). Women are three times more likely to develop thyroid cancer than men. Although the disease also affects younger people, most people who develop thyroid cancer are over 50 years of age. Caucasians are affected more often than African-Americans (Rubin 88).
Family History of Brain Tumors; genetics makes up a small portion of reported cases of brain tumors, but can incre...
In serious cases the pituitary gland is removed with the tumour meaning the patient will need lifelong hormone replacement therapy
The first, Littoral Cell Angiom (LCA) is a rare benign tumor that is usually discovered incidentally with sonography. It can arise from cells that line the red pulp and can manifest with splenomegaly. Treatment for this condition is most commonly a splenectomy. The second type of benign tumor that can be found on sonography is a splenic hemangioma. It is the most common benign tumor found within the spleen and usually does not exceed 2 millimeters. There are two types of Splenic Hemangioma that can be differentiated by their specific sonographic appearances. The first type is a cavernous hemangioma which can be determined by its mixed echogenic or hypoechoic structure and may show partial calcifications or cystic structures. The second type is a capillary hemangioma which can be determined by its hyperechoic lesion with defined margins. Splenic Hemangioma is generally not treated unless it is large or symptomatic, which in that case the patient would need a splenectomy. Hamartoma is another very rare benign tumor found incidentally during an ultrasound or during surgrey. It originates from the red pulp and is smaller than 3 cenitmeters in size. On sonography, a hamartoma may look like a hyperechoic solid mass and may show cystic or necrotic portions as well as small calcifications. Lastly, Splenic Cysts are the most frequent
For cancer patients there are several treatment options. Surgery can remove cancerous tumors, chemotherapy uses drugs for treatment, and radiation therapy. The doctor in charge of the patient’s treatment may also choose to use radiation therapy. “Radiation
One of the biggest complications as a result of this disease is deafness; bilateral vestibular schwannomas can cause hearing loss, but if left untreated, the tumors will continue to grow and further affect hearing. The presence of these tumors, in general, is dangerous to an individual. Brain tumors and spinal tumors can form and based on their location, can significantly affect an individual. There are two methods to eliminate the schwannomas: microsurgical tumor resection and stereotactic radiosurgery (OMIM). Both methods involve tumor removal, which may hinder development of additional tumors. Failure to resort to either of these methods will result in a lesser quality of life and consequently, more serious complications for the affected
Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant genetic disorder that occurs in about 1 in every 35,000 births (Mahon, Suzanne M., 2012). The first reports on VHL syndrome were published in medical literature about a century ago where Treacher Collins and Eugene von Hippel were the first to describe families that had blood-vessel tumor development in the retina (Kaelin, William G., 2002). Later on Arvind Lindau, a neuropathologist, reported that these patients were also at high risk of developing tumors in the brain and spinal cord, which is now known as haemangioblastoma (Kaelin, William G., 2002). VHL syndrome is characterized by the formation tumors, both benign and malignant, and cysts that develop at
This test measures the amount of metanephrine and normetanephrine in your blood. Metanephrine and normetanephrine are substances that appear in your blood after adrenaline and other hormones break down. Increased levels of these substances in your blood may be a sign of having a pheochromocytoma tumor.
There are several different causes for Cushing’s syndrome. Most cases are iatrogenic in nature, meaning they are induced in patients undergoing steroid therapy. Fewer cases are endogenous, in which the body itself produces more cortisol than is needed usually due to a tumor. The two most common sites for tumors are the pituitary gland and the adrenal cortex. “Tumours that develop inside the pituitary or adrenal gland are usually non-cancerous. Other than the symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome, they don't usually pose a serious threat to health.” (nhsuk). Sometimes, a tumor forms inside the lung and produces the ACTH hormone. “It is concluded that certain tumors autonomously elaborate an ACTH-like substance that stimulates the adrenal glands to secrete large quantities of corticosteroids …” (Clifton, 1962). Further, “Occasionally, tumours developed from tissues considered as non endocrine may express a given hormone gene and some even secrete large amounts of biologicall...
Among these disorders are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a disorder in which one is diagnosed for having and underactive thyroid. The probability for women over the age of sixty to develop an underactive thyroid is higher than those of other individuals. If left untreated it can potentially lead to obesity, joint pain, heart disease, and other health complications. On the contrary, hyperthyroidism is a disorder in which a person is diagnosed for having an overactive thyroid. This can cause nervousness and anxiety, hyperactivity, unexplained weight loss, and swelling of the thyroid gland which causes a noticeable lump to form on throat (known as a