Our team provides overall care for individuals with problems related to the endocrine system (the thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands, and pancreas).
The treatment successes based on the multidisciplinary team approach to patients, we combine the diagnostic and treatment strengths of experts from numerous medical fields including medical endocrinologists, surgeons, radiologists, nuclear radiologists, ultrasonographers, ophthalmologists, cytopathologists and medical oncologists.
Points of interest to patients
- Parathyroid Tumors>>>> refer to thyroid and parathyroid center
- Thyroid Tumors>>>> refer to thyroid and parathyroid center
- Adrenal Tumors
- Pheochrocytoma
- Paraganglioma
- Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
- Insulinoma
- Endocrinologist
- MDT
- Laparoscopic resection
- Whipple procedure
- Catecholamine
- Radiation and chemotherapy
- Carcinoid tumors
- Familial genetic testing
- Endoscopic US
- Frozen section evaluation
- Center of Excellence
- Short hospital Stay
- ERAS
endocrine Information booklets:
Goiter Information Booklet: (Click here to download)
Thyroid Nodules Information Booklet: (Click here to download)
Thyroid Cancer Information Booklet: (Click here to download)
Thyroid Surgery Information Booklet: (Click here to download)
Parathyroid Surgery Information Booklet: (Click here to download)
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) (Click here to download)
Port Placement in Cancer Patients (Click here to download)
Nutrition in Cancer Patients (Click here to download)
pictures of Recently performed surgeries
Please click on the text to view:
TEam OF ENDOCRINE SURGERY
Sadir Alrawi; Ali Aldameh; Paul Sayad
Parathyroid Cancer
Parathyroid cancer is extremely rare. Most parathyroid tumors are benign, or non-cancerous (adenoma). However, some patients have developed other cancers after having been diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism leading some to speculate on whether or not tumors of the parathyroid can lead to other cancers. We offer our patients with all diagnostic and therapeutic modalities via a multidisciplinary team and utilizing minimally invasive surgical Procedures.
Thyroid Cancer
Not all thyroid disease is cancerous. Most thyroid nodules and goiters are benign (~80%), as are both hypo- and hyperthyroidism.
If nodules are cancerous, and this is rare, the treatment varies by type. The most common types of thyroid cancer are called well-differentiated (papillary and follicular) and are generally treated with thyroid removal. Less common cancers of the thyroid are called medullary and anaplastic thyroid cancer, which may require more aggressive treatment. Cancerous nodules may be treated by surgery, TSH suppression and potentially radioiodine treatment. “Traditional” types of chemotherapy and radiation therapy are rarely ever indicated in thyroid cancer.
Adrenal Tumors
Adrenal tumors can cause either the over-production or under-production of vital hormones. Tumors that cause an over-production of hormones are called functioning tumors. Non-functioning tumors do not produce hormones. Adrenal cancer is rare (1 in a million). Most adrenal tumors are not cancerous, and may not even require any treatment. However, the long-term effects of over-production of some adrenal gland hormones can lead to severe conditions, such as heart attack and stroke, so diagnosis is important.
The most common type of adrenal tumors, called adenomas, are non-functioning and non-cancerous tumors of the adrenal cortex. Although non-cancerous, they can over-produce hormones and lead to high blood pressure, low potassium levels, headaches, sweating, palpitations and abdominal obesity (Cushing’s Syndrome). Therefore, treatment ranging from pharmaceutical therapy to surgery may be needed to prevent more serious conditions.
Adrenocortical carcinoma, though very rare, are cancerous and aggressive tumors of the adrenal cortex. It is most common in children under the age of 10 and in adults between the ages of 50 and 60. Over-production of hormone due to this type of tumor may lead to high blood pressure, weight gain and diabetes.
Surgery is the best way to cure adrenal cancer. Advances in laparoscopic surgery enable us to more easily and successfully remove an adrenal gland or tumor. Three-to-four small incisions (each just one-half to one inch in length) are all that is needed to remove the mass. This approach shortens hospital stays, speeds recovery and reduces the possibility of long-term complications due to surgery. At times, especially if dealing with cancer of the adrenal, a more traditional open surgery is performed.
Pheochromcytoma
Pheochromocytomas are rare, slow growing tumors in the adrenal gland that over-produce adrenaline. Because adrenaline controls our natural “fight or flight response,” over-production of this hormone can lead to high blood pressure, headaches, sweating and heart palpitations.
Though the tumor may not be cancerous, too much adrenaline can cause serious health conditions, including heart attack and stroke, which is why it is critically important to surgically remove these tumors once detected.Laparoscopic approaches (3 or 4 small incisions) are commonly used in most patients. Some patients, especially those with large tumors, may require open surgery.
Paraganglioma
Paragangliomas are rare tumors that develop in nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. They can be found anywhere along the body’s major arteries, but are most commonly found in the abdomen. Like pheochromocytomas, paragangliomas are tumors that over-produce adrenaline, so similar symptoms and serious health conditions present, including heart attack and stroke.
But unlike pheochromocytomas, paragangliomas have a higher incidence of malignancy – as high as 40 to 50% in some studies. Patients with pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas may have a genetic condition that can be passed down to their offspring, leading to
Because over-production of adrenaline can lead to heart attack and stroke, it is very important to surgically remove these tumors once detected.
Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, or NETs, can be functional or non-functional. Functional tumors in the pancreas over-produce pancreatic hormones, such as gastrin, insulin, glucagon and somatostatin, and are named accordingly. Therefore, tumors that over-secrete insulin are called insulinoma; gastrin – gastrinoma. Both functional and non-functional tumors may be associated with other tumors in the endocrine system. They are known as MEN syndrome or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia.
Depending on the size, location and malignancy of the tumors, surgery is often the best course of action in treating these tumors. If the tumors are functional, surgery may be followed by medical therapies to reduce over-secretion of hormones that can give rise to uncomfortable or even serious symptoms