Gland

A gland is a special structure in the body made up of cells that are designed to produce and release substances. These substances may be fluids, hormones, or enzymes that help the body function normally. Some glands release their products onto body surfaces, such as the inside of the mouth or stomach, while others release them into the bloodstream.

What do glands do?

The main role of a gland is to secrete (make and release) something the body needs. For example, salivary glands in the mouth produce saliva, sweat glands in the skin release sweat, and glands in the stomach and intestines produce mucus and digestive enzymes. Hormone-producing glands such as the thyroid and adrenal glands release hormones into the blood to help regulate growth, energy, and stress.

Where are glands found?

Glands are found throughout the body. Some are large and easy to identify, like the pancreas or thyroid, while others are microscopic and line organs such as the stomach, colon, cervix, and lungs. These smaller glands are often seen when a pathologist examines tissue under the microscope.

Why might “gland” appear in my pathology report?

If your pathology report mentions glands, it usually means the pathologist is describing the type of tissue seen under the microscope. This may include normal glands, glands that are inflamed due to infection or irritation, or glands that look abnormal or cancerous.

What do glands look like under the microscope?

When seen under the microscope, glands are made up of epithelial cells, which are cells that line surfaces and form barriers. These cells are usually arranged in round or oval shapes with a central open space called a lumen. The lumen can be empty or filled with secretions made by the glandular cells. Depending on the type of gland, these secretions may include mucus, digestive enzymes, saliva, milk, or hormones. In healthy tissue, glands are well-organized with uniform cells. In disease, they may look crowded, irregular, or contain abnormal cells.

What types of cancers can arise from glands?

Cancers that develop from glandular cells are called adenocarcinomas. These cancers arise when the normal gland-forming cells start to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. A related condition called adenocarcinoma in situ describes an early stage of cancer in which abnormal glandular cells are present but have not yet invaded into the surrounding tissue. Adenocarcinoma can arise in any part of the body where glands are normally found, including the colon, stomach, lung, breast, prostate, pancreas, cervix, and many others.

What other types of diseases involve glands?

Not all diseases of glands are cancerous. Glands can be affected by a wide range of other conditions, including:

• Inflammatory conditions: Infections or irritation can cause inflammation of glands, such as sialadenitis (salivary gland inflammation) or prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate).

• Noncancerous growths: Glands can form adenomas (benign tumors) or cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs. These are not cancer but may cause symptoms depending on their size or location.

• Autoimmune diseases: Conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome damage salivary and tear glands, leading to dry mouth and dry eyes. Autoimmune thyroid disease can also alter thyroid gland function.

• Hormonal disorders: Glands that produce hormones can release too much or too little. Examples include hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism from the thyroid, or adrenal gland conditions like Cushing’s disease and Addison’s disease.

Questions to ask your doctor

• Were the glands in my tissue sample normal or abnormal?

• Did the report mention inflammation, precancer, or cancer in the glands?

• Do I need any follow-up tests or treatment based on this finding?