Adenoma

A benign (non-cancerous) tumor that starts in the tissues that line your organs and glands, also known as epithelial tissue. 

Adrenal Glands

Stress hormone producing walnut-sized glands found above each kidney.

Adrenocortical

Refers to the outer layer of the adrenal gland, the adrenal cortex. Adrenocortical tumors can produce excess amounts of hormones.

Autosomal Dominant

A pattern of gene inheritance where only one copy of a mutated gene is enough to cause a hereditary condition. A person with an autosomal dominant condition has a 50% (1 in 2) chance of passing the gene mutation, and thus the genetic, hereditary condition, to each child. 

Benign Tumor

A non-cancerous growth that does not spread to other parts of the body, but may still cause symptoms and require treatment. 

Carcinoma

Type of cancer that starts in the tissues that line your organs and glands, also known as epithelial tissue.

De novo

A genetics term that means a genetic mutation occurs for the first time in a family member, rather than being inherited from a parent.

Endocrine Glands

Organs that make and release hormones into the blood stream to regulate body functions. 

Gastrinoma

A neuroendocrine tumor that typically forms in the pancreas or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Gastrinomas produce and release gastrin, which can lead to stomach ulcers, diarrhea, and acid reflux. This spectrum of symptoms caused by gastrinomas is also referred to as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Gene

A segment of DNA that provides instructions to make proteins or other biochemicals, allowing  the body to grow and function. We typically have two copies of each gene, one inherited from each parent. 

Hereditary

A condition caused by changes in a gene that can be passed from parents to children.

Hormones

Chemical messengers in the body that drive different processes by controlling the function of many different organs

Hypercalcemia

A state of having too much calcium in the blood.

Hyperparathyroidism

A condition in which too much parathyroid hormone is produced.

Hypocalcemia

A state of having too little calcium in the blood.

Malignant Tumor (Cancer)

A growth of abnormal cells that can grow rapidly and spread to nearby or distant tissues through a process called metastasis.

Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN)
A group of hereditary conditions that increase the risk for tumors in endocrine glands. These tumors may be benign or malignant and can affect hormone levels in the body.

Neoplasia

The process of uncontrolled, abnormal cell growth.

Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET)

A growth that begins in specialized cells called neuroendocrine cells. These cells receive signals from the nerves and make hormones that regulate how the body functions.

Parathyroid Glands

Four small organs found in the neck that make parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Pheochromocytoma

A tumor in the inner part of an adrenal gland which makes greater than normal levels of stress hormones.

Pituitary Gland

A pea-sized gland that sits at the base of the brain. The pituitary gland sends signals to other organs and glands, via hormones, to tell them what functions are needed and when.

Thyroid Gland

A butterfly-shaped gland found in the neck that makes and releases hormones called thyroxine and triiodothyronine.

Tumor

An abnormal mass of cells that can be benign or malignant.

Variant (Mutation)

A change in the DNA sequence of a gene. Variants can be harmful, beneficial, or neutral. Pathogenic variants/mutations interfere with the gene’s normal function and can cause disease.