Introduction to Thyroid Cancer

The endocrine system consists of several organs and glands that produce specialized proteins called hormones that control and regulate the body's critical metabolic functions. The endocrine system is comprised of the following glands and organs:

• Pancreas - a gland located near the stomach that secretes digestive fluids into the intestine and also produces a hormone called insulin that helps control blood glucose levels.

• Pituitary gland - a gland located at the base of the brain that secretes a variety of hormones that control many body functions, including reproduction.

• Testes - male gonads that secrete the male hormone testosterone and also produce sperm.

• Ovaries - female sexual glands in which the eggs (ova) develop; the ovaries also produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone.

• Parathyroid glands - four small kidney-shaped glands that lie in close proximity to the thyroid gland and produce a hormone called parathyroid hormone (PTH) that controls the amount of calcium in the body.

• Thyroid gland - a gland located below the voice box that produces thyroid hormones and helps regulate growth and metabolism.