Endocrine System pathology

What is ACTH over section?

Excess production of ACTH to elevated cortisol levels and associated metabolic disturbances

What is Cushings disease?

Form of cortisol excess caused by an ACTH secreting pituitary tumour

What is diameters insipidus?

Lack of ADH or renal insensitivity to ADH results in passing large amounts of dilute urine

What are growth hormone disorders?

Conditions involving too much or too little growth hormone, affecting growth, metabolism and tissue health

What is hyperparathyroidism?

Overproduction of parathyroid hormone causing high blood calcium levels

What is hyperprolactinemia?

Elevated probation levels due to pituitary dysfunction affecting reproductive and metabolic processes

What is hyperthyroidism?

Excess thyroid hormone production leading to an increased metabolic rate

What is hypoparathyroidism?

Reduced thyroid hormone production causing a slowed metabolic rate

What is hypothyroidism?

Reduced thyroid hormone production causing a slowed metabolic rate

What are pituitary tumours?

Abnormal growths in the pituitary gland that interfere with normal hormone secretion

What is type 1 diabetes mellitus?

Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells causing insulin deficiency

What is type 2 diabetes mellitus?

Metabolic disorder characterised by insulin resistance and progressive beta cells causing dysfunction

How do pituitary tumours arise?

Genetic abnormalities in tumour suppressor genes of growth promoting genes

What is a functioning pituitary tumour?

A tumour that continues to secrete hormones

What is a non functioning pituitary tumour?

Stops producing hormones

What is a pituitary adenoma?

The most common pituitary tumour which is benign

What is the most common origin of pituitary adenomas?

Anterior pituitary

What are the most common glandular hormone secreting cell types which adenomas arise from?

ACTH, GH or prolactin secreting cells

What are two possible complications of enlarging pituitary adenomas?

Compression of nearby brain structures e.g. hypothalamus or optic nerve

Compression of normal pituitary tissue causing Hypopituitarism

Why are pituitary adenomas not invasive?

They are benign and capsulated

What are possible causes of a pituitary malignancy?

Metastases

Glandular cells

Adenoma transformation

What is the most common endocrine disorder?

Diabetes mellitus

What is the main sign of diabetes mellitus?

Hyperglycaemia due to absent, insufficient or ineffective insulin

What are some common pathologies caused by diabetes mellitus?

Blindness

Kidney failure

Heart attack

Stroke

Limb amputation

What is type 1 diabetes mellitus?

Autoimmune condition causing the destruction of beta cells, leading to little of no insulin production

What is type 2 diabetes mellitus?

Insulin resistance with a gradual decline in insulin production

What are the main factors causing type 2 diabetes mellitus?

Obesity

Sedentary lifestyle

Black African, African Caribbean and south Asian backgrounds

What are two possible triggers of an immune response in beta cells?

Genetic predisposition

Viral infection

What is the cause of 90% of beta cell destruction?

Autoimmune disorder

What are two examples of cells involved in autoimmune responses?

Autoantibodies

Auto reactive T cells

What is the adaptation of the pancreas in pre diabetic stages?

Extra insulin production

What happens in late disease of type 2 diabetes mellitus?

Insulin release response is reduced or may be lost completely

How is axonal degeneration caused by diabetes?

How does hyperglycaemia reduce Schwann cell function?

What are the consequences of micro vascular damage caused by diabetes?

What are the five stages of diabetic foot?

What are the four types of thyroid cancer?

Papillary carcinoma

Follicular carcinoma

Medullary carcinoma

Anaplastic carcinoma

What is the origin of most thyroid cancers?

Follicular epithelial cells with genetic mutations

What are the features of papillary carcinoma?

Most common thyroid cancer

Slow growing

Spreads through lymph

What are the features of follicular carcinoma?

Spreads through blood

Common metastases to lungs and bones

What are the features of medullary carcinoma?

Originates from thyroid c cells

Produces excess calcitonin

What are the features of anaplastic carcinoma?

Aggressive

Rapid local invasion

What happens when thyroid cancers enlarge?

May invade the capsule and nearby structures