Some types of head and neck cancers are endocrine cancers. Endocrine specialists are involved in caring for patients with these cancers and diseases. Neurosurgeons, endocrinologists and head and neck surgeons collaborate to treat these complex tumors.
Types of head and neck endocrine cancers:
- Thyroid cancers
- Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (DTC), such as papillary and follicular thyroid cancers begin in the follicular cells of the thyroid.
- Medullary Cancer originates from the parafollicular cells, which produce the hormone calcitonin.
- Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer (ATC) is a rare, but serious, aggressive cancer.
- Parathyroid Cancer
- Most tumors that develop in the parathyroid glands are benign (not cancer). There are fewer than 100 cases of parathyroid cancer diagnosed in the United States each year.
- Parathyroid Disease includes
- Primary Hyperparathyroidism, which leads to the production of too much parathyroid hormone;
- Secondary Hyperparathyroidism, which may develop in patients with chronic kidney disease; and
- Hypoparathyroidism (lack of calcium), which most often occurs after neck surgery or in patients with an autoimmune disease.
- Pituitary tumors:
- These abnormal growths develop in your pituitary gland, resulting in either too many hormones produced or too few hormones produced in your body. Most pituitary tumors are noncancerous.
Treatments
Visit our Endocrine Cancer section for treatment and diagnostic test information for these head and neck cancers.
Why Choose Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center?
Sylvester is an NCI-designated cancer center. The National Cancer Institute has reaffirmed us as South Florida’s only NCI-designated cancer center. We have been recognized for our scientific leadership, our commitment to training the next generation of cancer researchers and providers, as well as our engagement with the communities that we serve. For patients, this designation translates into greater access to leading-edge treatment options, including clinical trials that prioritize your specific cancer.
Ranked in the nation’s top tier by U.S. News & World Report.
The ranking reflects the team’s dedication to excellence in research patient care and outcomes. Surgeons, audiologists, biomedical engineers, speech pathologists, researchers, and psychologists collaborate with many research programs at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine to deliver the best possible multidisciplinary care to pediatric and adult ear, nose, and throat patients.
More board-certified head and neck surgical specialists than any other South Florida provider. Surgery simplified. In the majority of cases requiring reconstruction, you have just one operation for cancer removal and any reconstructive surgery. Sylvester is one of the best places in the country for simultaneous head and neck cancer surgery and microvascular reconstruction.
Clinical trials that focus on robotic surgery, chemotherapy, reducing radiation toxicity and immunotherapy are often available for head and neck cancer patients. The most advanced treatment options available in the South Florida region.
Advanced radiation oncology tools. New treatments not available elsewhere: Your access to trials that match your specific cancer gives you the best chance for the best treatment outcomes.
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