Head and Neck Endocrine Oncology Program
This new service provides multidisciplinary treatment of patients with
thyroid cancer and other diseases of the thyroid and parathyroid glands.
Therapy for these conditions frequently requires the participation of
a head and neck surgeon, an endocrinologist, and a nuclear medicine physician.
This service also extends to the evaluation of other thyroid conditions
such as goiter, solitary thyroid nodule, and Grave’s disease, along
with parathyroid diseases such as adenomas, hyperplasias, and carcinomas.
The multidisciplinary approach allows patients the benefit of being
seen by all involved specialties in one visit. Patients are able to have
discussions
on the same day with each physician regarding the role of surgery,
medical management, and the use of nuclear medicine in the care of their
condition.
The advantages and risks of all therapeutic options are presented so
that patients have the information needed to make informed decisions
regarding their care. The multidisciplinary approach reduces the inconvenience
associated with seeing multiple physicians in different locations on
the same day, and allows physicians to develop treatment plans at the
time of the visit.
A panel of specialists from otolaryngology, medical oncology, radiation
oncology, pathology, and radiology meet weekly at a Tumor Board conference
to discuss each patient’s diagnostic and therapeutic options. This
conference assures that every patient receives a comprehensive review
of all the information related to his or her disease.
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