The endocrine system is a collection of glands that produce hormones to regulate metabolism and a number of other functions. The RD&E’s department of thyroid and endocrine surgery sees, offers advice about and treats thyroid cancer, benign thyroid diseases, parathyroid and adrenal disease.
The thyroid gland is butterfly shaped and located in the neck. Thyroid cancer is quite rare, with around 3,500 people in the UK diagnosed with it each year. It’s more common in women than men at a ratio of 3:1. Goitre is a general term for an enlarged thyroid gland. There are a number of different causes for goitre, the vast majority of which are benign.
The thyroid and endocrine cancer service is built around the thyroid and endocrine cancer multidisciplinary team (MDT) that includes surgeons, endocrinologists, radiologists, pathologists and specialist nurses. All patients with a cancer diagnosis are discussed at a weekly team meeting that is peer review approved. The team’s surgeons are all members of the British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons, contributing to the national database through which activity and results are monitored.
Treatment
Treatment options will be discussed with you by one of our team but could include:
- surgery
- radiotherapy
- chemotherapy
- Consultants
- Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Cancer Support Worker