Background & Scope
Endocrine surgery is a specialized field of surgery that focuses on the diagnosis, management and surgical treatment of diseases related to the body’s endocrine system. The endocrine system is responsible for the production of hormones, which regulate many bodily functions, such as growth, metabolism, and reproduction. Endocrine surgery is a highly specialized field that requires extensive knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the endocrine system.
The scope of endocrine surgery includes the surgical removal, or resection, of various endocrine organs, such as the thyroid gland, pancreas, adrenal glands, parathyroid glands, pituitary gland, and testes. These organs can be affected by tumors or other diseases or injuries that may require surgical intervention. Endocrine surgeons are also trained in reconstruction techniques to restore normal functioning following the removal of diseased tissue. In addition to resection, endocrine surgeons may also perform minimally invasive procedures.
Endocrine surgeons also monitor for potential complications associated with endocrine surgery. Patients may require follow-up visits with an endocrinologist to monitor hormone levels and make any necessary adjustments to hormone replacement therapy. Endocrinologists may also be consulted for any hormonal imbalances that may arise following surgery.
Qualifications, Training, and Certifications
Endocrine surgeons must be trained not only in the anatomy and physiology of the endocrine system but in the diagnosis and treatment of endocrine diseases. The qualifications for endocrine surgeons typically include completion of medical school, residency training in general surgery, and fellowship training in endocrine surgery, though some are trained in surgical oncology.
Conditions, Diseases, Treatments, and Procedures
Endocrinologists are trained to diagnose and treat endocrine diseases and conditions, including thyroid cancer, thyroid nodules, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, adrenal tumors, pituitary tumors, parathyroid disease, and other endocrine disorders.
Endocrine surgeons are also trained to perform procedures to treat those diseases and conditions. These procedures include thyroidectomy (surgical removal of the thyroid gland), lobectomy (removal of a lobe of the thyroid gland), adrenalectomy (removal of the adrenal glands), parathyroidectomy (removal of the parathyroid glands), pituitary tumor resection (surgical removal of a pituitary tumor), and testicular surgery (removal of a testicle).
As noted, endocrine surgeons must also be knowledgeable about pre- and post-operative care and hormone levels as that impacts decisions about hormone replacement therapy. Typically, it is an endocrinologist who is primarily handling postoperative hormonal imbalances.
Related Medical Specialties
Endocrine surgery is closely related to several other medical specialties, including endocrinology, oncology, pathology, and (for radiotherapy) radiation oncology.
Endocrinologists specialize in hormones and the glands that produce them. Endocrinologists provide treatment for various endocrine-related diseases related to the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and pituitary glands.
Oncologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, including of the endocrine glands. Oncologists provide treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or targeted drug therapy to help manage cancer.
Surgical oncologists specialize in the surgical treatment of cancer in many, but certainly not all areas of the body. Some surgical oncologist perform endocrine surgery. Some of those who do perform endocrine surgery in and above the neck.
Pathologists study cells and tissues and work with endocrine surgeons regarding biopsies and surgically removed tissue to diagnose diseases and determine their severity.
Radiotherapists use radiation therapy to treat cancer and other diseases, including of the endocrine system. They work with endocrine surgeons to develop treatment plans that involve the use of radiation therapy.
Medical-Legal Cases Involving Endocrine Surgery
Endocrine surgery medical-legal cases may arise from a variety of situations. One example would be an allegation that an endocrine surgeon failed to remove all the tumor during a pituitary surgery. Another would involve a claim of a severed recurrent laryngeal nerve injury following a thyroidectomy.