Endocrine tumors begin in the endocrine glands, such as the adrenal, thyroid, and pancreas glands. Most endocrine tumors are benign (noncancerous), but some can become malignant (cancerous).
At Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, your child will receive excellent care from a team of specialists with in-depth expertise in endocrinology, oncology, surgery, and cancer genetics. We're here to guide your child and family through diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, every step of the way.
We diagnose and treat the full spectrum of endocrine tumors at our Solid Tumor Center, including:
Our Endocrine-Oncology Program specialists
We use a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, working closely to coordinate our pediatric oncology, surgery, and endocrinology experts' efforts. Learn about our Endocrine-Oncology Program team.
How we diagnose and treat childhood endocrine tumors
We diagnose endocrine tumors by using several different diagnostic tests to determine the tumor type and location. These tests may include sophisticated imaging studies, biopsy, and blood and urine tests.
Following diagnosis, your doctor will recommend your child's treatment plan. In this process, we consider your child's age, overall health and medical history, and expectations of how the tumor will behave.
We typically use surgery to remove endocrine tumors. Your doctor may also recommend chemotherapy to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.
After treatment, we continue to care for your child through our pediatric survivorship programs. We monitor your child's health regularly to manage disease complications and late effects of treatment. Children and families also have access to support groups and counseling to help the transition from cancer treatment to life after treatment.
Clinical trials and research for childhood endocrine tumors
At Dana-Farber/Boston Children's, our researchers are striving to understand the scientific causes of endocrine cancers, which results in groundbreaking treatment options. Learn more about our clinical trials.
