Endocrine cancers

The endocrine system consists of a network of glands which produce and control hormones in the body. These include: the pituitary gland, the thyroid and adrenal glands. Cancer of the thyroid is also classified as a head and neck cancer and information can sometimes be found in that section too. Pancreatic cancer is classed as endocrine but you will find a separate section for that cancer type in our list of cancers. Because endocrine cancers can affect so many organs, there are several risk factors for developing one of these cancers. The treatment will also vary according to cancer type so see below to find out more.

To help you find answers to some of your questions, we have linked to Maggie’s CancerLinks where you will be signposted to high quality information about endocrine cancers. The information on these websites is not written specifically for young people but it is written using simple language in a way that most people will be able to understand. Don’t worry if there are lots of links to different websites. Have a look on the description of the links and very often you will find the information you are searching for on the first website that you look at. If you just want general information about cancer you could read the ‘About cancer’ section on riprap.

Remember that the information on these sites is general. Within each cancer type, there are different variations, different stages, different treatments and people may also respond differently to the same treatments. Each person is an individual and because of this, generic information may not fit the situation you are thinking of. Often your parents or someone else who knows the details can answer your questions best. Also, please feel free to get in touch with us here at riprap. We can help you sorting through information or discuss things you’ve heard or read or anything at all that’s on your mind.

Don’t forget that there are lots of effective treatments for cancer these days and many cancers can be completely cured. There are also very good treatments to control cancers that cannot be cured and research is going on all the time to find new treatments that can control and cure cancers.

Page updated 13 July 2017