The spine is made up of strong bones called vertebrae. A vertebra can break just like any other bone in the body. When the vertebral body collapses, it is called a vertebral compression fracture. These fractures happen most commonly in the thoracic spine (the middle portion of the spine), particularly in the lower part.
When cells in the adrenal cortex become abnormal, they can form non-cancerous, or benign, tumours called adrenal cortical adenoma. Sometimes cells in the adrenal cortex change and become cancerous. This type of cancer is called adrenocortical carcinoma.It is the most common cancerous tumour of the adrenal gland. Tumours can also start in the medulla of the adrenal gland. When chromaffin cells in the medulla become abnormal, they can lead to a tumour called pheochromocytoma.Most pheochromocytomas are non-cancerous, but some are likely to become cancerous.hen cells in the adrenal cortex become abnormal, they can form non-cancerous, or benign, tumours called adrenal cortical adenoma. Sometimes cells in the adrenal cortex change and become cancerous. This type of cancer is called adrenocortical carcinoma.
Malignant tumours are called adrenal cortical carcinomas. The most common type of tumour in the medulla is called a phaeochromocytoma. These can be benign or malignant. A small number of phaeochromocytomas start outside the medulla part of the adrenal gland and are known as extra-adrenal phaeochromocytomas.he type of hormone that is overproduced depends on the part of the adrenal gland affected by the tumour. Some endocrine tumours may not cause an overproduction of hormones and don't cause any obvious symptoms. These are known as non-functioning tumours.