Pathology of tumours of the pituitary, parathyroid and adrenal glands

Endocrine tumours are relatively rare. They usually present only if they produce a clinical syndrome by secreting excess hormone or by causing pressure effects. Malignant tumours may present with metastases. Nevertheless, they are important to recognize because their functional effects may be significant (e.g. hypertension in phaeochromocytoma, Cushing’s syndrome with pituitary adenoma or adrenal cortical adenoma or carcinoma).This short contribution discusses the classification of tumours of the pituitary, parathyroid and adrenal glands and the distinction between benign and malignant tumours, using the approach of the most recent WHO classification of endocrine tumours.