gland disease

1 4.2

A health problem that affects a body part that makes important liquids and often changes how it works

noun
/ɡlænd dɪˈziːz/

Specialized

: enfermedad glandular

Regular check-ups can help identify symptoms of gland disease early.

Examples

Many people suffer from gland disease without even realizing it.
Photo (color): Figure 3: Enlarged parotid glands due to HIV salivary gland disease

Academic text (2000)
The doctor explained that gland disease can lead to hormonal imbalances.

Synonyms

adenopathy

vsgland disease

Specialized

1 9.9

Swelling of lymph nodes often in the neck or armpit

focuses on gland disorders generally, not only cases that cause swelling

glandular disorder

vsgland disease

Specialized

1 5.9

A health problem where body parts that make important chemicals do not work properly

is a neutral description stressing disrupted normal function rather than a medical label

glandular disease

vsgland disease

Specialized

4.6

A disease that makes the body's glands not work properly or change the liquids they make

is identical in meaning but uses an alternative adjectival phrasing instead of the other form

adenosis

vsgland disease

Specialized

9.9

A disease that makes glands grow too much

is broader, covering any disorder of glands not limited to tissue overgrowth

adenitis

vsgland disease

Specialized

9.3

Swelling and pain in a gland or lymph node

covers gland disorders of all types, not only those caused by inflammation

Surface Forms

gland disease singular

gland diseases plural

Morphology

gland + disease

The meaning 'a disorder affecting one or more glands' is directly and compositionally built from 'gland' (an organ releasing hormones or fluids) + 'disease' (a condition disrupting normal function). The pattern 'X disease' is a regular, cross-linguistic noun + disease construction, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Gland disease comes from the idea of small body 'factories' called glands that make important chemicals called hormones. When a gland becomes sick and cannot make the right chemicals, the body does not work the same, so gland disease means a 'disorder' of one or more glands.