Thyroid & Endocrine Cancer
Receive treatment focused on your individual needs.
The dedicated endocrinologists and cancer specialists at Novant Health Cancer Institute diagnose and treat all types of cancer affecting your endocrine system. The most common endocrine cancer, thyroid cancer, is often detected early. Rely on our experts to provide a personalized treatment plan that will offer you the best results.
What is endocrine cancer?
Your endocrine glands are essential in producing, storing and releasing hormones into the bloodstream to regulate your body's growth and development. Endocrine cancers affect parts of the body that produce and secrete hormones. These may include the mouth, tongue, tonsils, throat, head, neck and sinus cavities. When your glands can't release hormones through the blood, that can lead to various chemical imbalances and disorders. Endocrine cancer occurs most often in the thyroid glands but can also affect:
- Adrenal glands
- Pancreas
- Parathyroid glands
- Pituitary glands
Thyroid cancer risk factors
Gender is a significant risk factor for thyroid cancer. Three out of four thyroid cancer cases occur in women (those assigned female at birth). Endocrine cancers can sometimes be linked to your family history, inherited abnormal genes or rare genetic conditions.
Potential risk factors include:
- Enlarged or inflamed thyroid
- Family history
- Inherited genetic conditions
- Obesity
- Age
- Previous history of radiation exposure or treatment
- Too much or too little iodine in your diet
Thyroid cancer symptoms
The symptoms of thyroid cancer can vary and may not even be detected in the early stages.
Watch for these symptoms:
- A lump in the neck
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Neck pain
- Swelling of lymph nodes in the neck
Symptoms of other types of endocrine cancer may include:
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Fatigue or weakness
- Changes in bladder or bowel routines
- Loss of appetite or nausea
- Other unexplained pain
If you have any of these symptoms, speak to your physician to determine if they're signs of thyroid cancer or another condition.
Comprehensive Thyroid Cancer Treatment
Why Choose Novant Health?
Accredited by multiple national organizations, including the Commission on Cancer and the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®), your Novant Health physician is committed to providing excellence in cancer care. You can feel confident that you will be supported throughout your cancer journey by a specialized team of experts focused on your specific needs. We work in state-of-the-art cancer care centers that are among the best in the country.
Your cancer journey is unique. That’s why our nationally recognized cancer teams work with you to develop a personalized care plan. At Novant Health, you’ll have access to the most current treatment options available only at leading cancer institutes. Your treatment may include clinical research trials or robotics, microsurgeries, new radiation technologies, or cellular and immune therapies. Together, we can treat your cancer, manage your symptoms, and provide you with support at all stages.
You're not alone on your cancer journey. At Novant Health, rest assured you’ll have all the resources you need to tackle your life-changing diagnosis. Our multidisciplinary, collaborative approach brings together experts with knowledge from different specialties to support you every step of the way. In addition to oncologists, radiologists, and surgeons, your team may include nurse navigators, nutritionists, integrative medicine specialists, genetic counselors, social workers, symptom management and palliative care specialists, and more.
Nationally Recognized Care
- National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC)
- Commission on Cancer (CoC)
- Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI)
- Radiation Oncology Practice Accreditation (ROPA-ACR)
- APEx Accreditation (ASTRO)
- Magnet Recognition-American Nursing Credentialing Center
- American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP)
- National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)
- Southeast Clinical Oncology Research Consortium (SCOR)/National Cancer Institute (NCI) Community Oncology Research Program
- Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT)
- National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC)
Who treats thyroid cancer?
Endocrinologists
An endocrinologist specializes in hormone-related diseases and conditions. That includes evaluating the glands in your body that produce various hormones regulating specific functions within your body.
Oncologists
An oncologist diagnoses and treats cancer. Medical oncologists prescribe and oversee chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted drug therapy. A radiation oncologist provides radiation therapy treatments. Surgical oncologists remove cancerous tumors, tissues and lymph nodes.
Surgeons
Depending on the severity of your cancer and other health factors, your endocrine care team may recommend surgery. Novant Health Cancer Institute surgeons are highly skilled in advanced robotic surgery and use minimally invasive procedures whenever possible for quicker recovery and less discomfort.
Other endocrine specialists
Your multidisciplinary thyroid cancer treatment team may include a patient navigator, radiologists, registered nurses, psychologists, social workers and rehabilitative specialists to round out your holistic care.
You’re Entitled to a Second Opinion.
Are you concerned or confused about a cancer diagnosis or treatment recommendation you've received?
Another perspective on your case and options can give you some peace of mind. Reach out for a virtual session or in-person consultation.
Experience the Future of Cancer Care, Today.
Together, we can beat cancer. Clinical research studies drive breakthroughs in the prevention, detection and treatment of many cancer conditions.
If eligible to join a clinical trial, you could access new cancer treatments before they’re available to the general public. Explore clinical trials and speak with your cancer team to see if any are right for you.
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