PATIENT EDUCATION
Endocrine Tumours & Neuroendocrine Disorders
Some tumours arise from endocrine or neuroendocrine tissues and may produce hormones, while cancer treatment can also disturb normal hormonal function. Endocrine assessment focuses on hormone effects and works alongside oncology, surgery, radiology and other specialist teams when required.
Select a topic below to view more information.
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A Neuroendocrine Tumour or Suspected Hormone-producing Tumour
What you'll notice or feel
- A neuroendocrine tumour may be found on imaging, endoscopy or pathology.
- Some tumours cause no hormone symptoms.
- Functional tumours can cause episodic flushing, diarrhoea, unexplained low glucose or other hormone-related symptoms depending on the tumour type.
Common causes
- Neuroendocrine tumours can arise in the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, lungs or other sites.
- Only some produce clinically significant hormone excess.
What it could be
- A non-functioning tumour requiring oncological/surgical assessment.
- A functioning endocrine tumour requiring biochemical evaluation in addition to tumour staging.
When to see a doctor
- A pathology or imaging report suggests a neuroendocrine tumour.
- There are persistent unexplained symptoms suggesting hormone excess.
When to see a doctor urgently
- Severe recurrent hypoglycaemia, collapse, marked dehydration or rapidly worsening symptoms.
- Any acute problem related to known cancer should be assessed through the appropriate urgent oncology or emergency pathway.
Adrenal, Pituitary or Other Endocrine Mass Found on Imaging
What you'll notice or feel
- A lesion may be found incidentally during CT or MRI for another reason.
- There may be no hormonal symptoms.
- Some lesions cause hormone excess or deficiency.
Common causes
- Benign adrenal adenomas and pituitary adenomas are common examples of endocrine incidental findings.
- Imaging appearance and hormonal activity determine what further assessment is needed.
Initial self-care
- Keep the original scan report and, if possible, the images for review.
- Avoid ordering broad hormone panels without a clinician-directed plan.
When to see a doctor
- An adrenal, pituitary or other endocrine lesion has been reported.
- The lesion is enlarging or associated with hormone-related symptoms.
Hormonal Problems During or After Cancer Treatment
What you'll notice or feel
- Fatigue, weight change, thirst, menstrual change, low libido or temperature intolerance may occur during or after treatment.
- Symptoms can overlap with the effects of cancer itself, medicines and recovery.
Common causes
- Some cancer therapies can affect thyroid, pituitary, adrenal, gonadal or glucose regulation.
- Glucocorticoids used with treatment can alter glucose and adrenal function.
What it could be
- A treatment-related endocrine disturbance requiring targeted testing.
- A non-endocrine treatment effect when hormone evaluation is normal.
When to see a doctor
- New endocrine symptoms develop during immunotherapy, radiotherapy or systemic cancer treatment.
- There is an abnormal hormone or glucose result during oncology follow-up.
When to see a doctor urgently
- Severe weakness, low blood pressure, vomiting, confusion or suspected adrenal crisis.
- Marked hyperglycaemia, ketones or severe hypoglycaemia.
Endocrine Follow-up After Surgery or Cancer Treatment
What you'll notice or feel
- Hormone replacement or monitoring may be required after surgery involving endocrine glands.
- Treatment needs can change over time.
Common causes
- Removal or damage of thyroid, pituitary, adrenal, parathyroid or gonadal tissue can alter hormone production.
- Radiotherapy can cause delayed hormonal deficiencies.
Initial self-care
- Take prescribed hormone replacement consistently and do not stop steroids abruptly.
- Keep a record of surgery, pathology, radiotherapy and current medicines.
When to see a doctor
- Replacement doses need review or symptoms of deficiency/excess develop.
- Follow-up hormone testing is overdue.
When Endocrinology Works With Oncology and Surgery
What you'll notice or feel
- Some conditions require several specialties rather than endocrine treatment alone.
- The endocrine role may be biochemical diagnosis, hormone control, replacement therapy or long-term monitoring.
What it could be
- A condition best managed through a multidisciplinary pathway.
- A tumour that is non-functional but still requires oncological or surgical management.
When to see a doctor
- You need coordination between hormone treatment and cancer therapy.
- An endocrine diagnosis is affecting the timing or safety of surgery or systemic treatment.
YOUR CONSULTATION
What to Expect at Your Visit
- Review of the original pathology, imaging and oncology or surgical records.
- Assessment for symptoms of hormone excess or deficiency.
- Targeted biochemical testing is chosen according to the suspected endocrine pathway.
- Previous cancer therapies and current medicines are reviewed because they can alter endocrine function and test interpretation.
- Imaging is interpreted alongside hormone results rather than in isolation.
- Management is coordinated with oncology, surgery, radiology or other specialist services when the tumour itself requires treatment outside endocrinology.
* IMPORTANT: A Note Before You Go
Endocrinology does not replace oncology or surgical cancer care. Its role is to diagnose and manage hormone-related effects, functioning endocrine tumours and treatment-related hormonal disturbances as part of an appropriate multidisciplinary pathway.
This page provides general educational information and cannot replace an individual medical assessment. If symptoms are persistent, worsening or concerning, arrange appropriate medical review.
NEED AN ASSESSMENT?
Arrange an Endocrinology Consultation
For non-emergency assessment or follow-up, appointments are booked through the hospital’s central appointment desk on 0422 432 4433. For severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, seek urgent medical care rather than waiting for a routine appointment.