Leaders in Endocrine Tumor Treatment
The Endocrine Tumors program treats endocrine cancers and benign (non-cancerous) endocrine tumors of the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands, pancreas, and intestine.
We offer one of the nation's most comprehensive centers focused exclusively on the treatment of endocrine tumors.
- Specialized expertise in all types of endocrine tumors, with doctors who innovate through advanced treatments, clinical research, and national leadership. Go to Conditions Treated
- Advanced treatment for common to complex conditions, including open and minimally invasive surgery and genetic counseling to guide your care. Go to Treatments
- Team-based approach to diagnosis and treatment, in which our endocrine experts partner with you to create your custom care plan. Go to Your Care Team
- Clinical trials offering eligible patients access to new therapies and procedures that are not yet widely available. Go to Clinical Trials
- Comprehensive support services, such as educational workshops and survivorship clinics, to give you and your family peace of mind throughout your treatment. Go to Supportive Services
- Easy access and coordinated care to quickly connect you with the best specialists for your needs, whether you are just starting care or seeking a second opinion. Go to Connecting to Care
Conditions Treated
The endocrine system is made up of specialized glands and cells that produce chemical messengers (hormones) that control cell and organ function. Endocrine tumors involve specific cells found only in this system.
Endocrine tumors may arise in the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal gland, pancreas, or intestine and can present a range of treatment challenges. They can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) and can affect your body’s hormone production.
Our unique clinic—dedicated exclusively to treating these tumors—brings together specialists in endocrinology, endocrine surgery, medical oncology, nuclear medicine, and other fields. As a team, we provide customized treatment planning and care for your individual needs.
A butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck, the thyroid is the body's master metabolic control center. It helps regulate heart rate, weight, energy levels, body temperature, growth, and muscle strength.
We partner closely with our Endocrinology Clinic to provide the right care for your needs, including comprehensive medical and surgical care for thyroid tumors and management of hormone imbalances.
The adrenal glands are small glands located above the kidneys. They produce hormones that help the body react to stressors and control blood sugar and blood pressure.
Adrenal tumors can be challenging to identify and treat. Through our expertise, we assess tumors accurately to ensure that you receive the appropriate treatment.
Should you need surgery, we have extensive experience in minimally invasive and open procedures. We provide genetic counseling to find the cause and help guide your next steps. We also partner with our Hypertension Center for diagnosis and treatment of adrenal tumors that affect the blood pressure.
The four parathyroid glands are located near the thyroid gland, in the central part of the neck. Parathyroid tumors are nearly always benign (noncancerous). Because these glands control the body’s calcium levels, parathyroid tumors may cause osteoporosis (reduced bone mass), kidney stones, and other serious complications.
Doctors around the U.S. refer patients with parathyroid disorders to us. They rely on our leading expertise in diagnosis, surgical planning, and minimally invasive techniques. We partner with our Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Diseases Clinic to manage bone complications associated with parathyroid disease.
Neuroendocrine cells are specialized cells that release hormones into the blood in response to signals from the nervous system. Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are uncommon and often slow-growing.
Our established program has extensive expertise in managing NETs of the pancreas and GI tract both at initial diagnosis and through ongoing follow-up. We partner closely with you to offer a personalized care plan for your long-term health.
Our partner clinics care for people with NETs elsewhere in the body:
- Thoracic and Lung Cancer Program manages neuroendocrine lung cancer.
- Skin Cancer Program treats Merkel cell carcinoma.
- Brain Spine Tumor Center cares for patients with pituitary tumors.
Stanford Medicine doctors are internationally recognized experts in endocrine conditions, from common tumors to rare and difficult-to-diagnose endocrine cancer.
We combine our high level of diagnostic and treatment expertise with advanced imaging technologies and lab workups to pinpoint the most appropriate therapies for you. When surgery is the best option, our surgeons are nationally recognized for their expertise in both open and precise minimally invasive procedures.
INNOVATION HIGHLIGHT
Our doctors study endocrine tumors to identify new ways to predict tumor development and treat existing tumors. They recently discovered new pheochromocytoma genetic syndromes, which may reveal new ways to diagnose and treat these tumors more precisely.
We create an individualized treatment plan for you, based on your biopsy results, genetic testing, your desires, and your symptoms. At a weekly review, experts from multiple disciplines discuss cases that require more complex recommendations.
Every care path starts with a thorough assessment to understand a tumor’s precise anatomy and function. We use advanced tests to find the cause and identify treatment that will be most effective for you.
We perform surgery for:
We create an individualized treatment plan for you, based on your biopsy results, genetic testing, your desires, and your symptoms. At a weekly review, experts from multiple disciplines discuss cases that require more complex recommendations.
Every care path starts with a thorough assessment to understand a tumor’s precise anatomy and function. We use advanced tests to find the cause and identify treatment that will be most effective for you.
We perform surgery for:
When it comes to care for endocrine tumors, you’ll benefit from our extensive expertise in the latest treatment options. While surgery is often a first treatment, some conditions require different care. Your care plan will be customized to your needs and may include one or a combination of the following treatments:
For slow-growing, small, noncancerous tumors or low-grade cancers, we may recommend active surveillance (watching the tumor but not yet treating it).
Our surgeons have advanced training in the care of benign and cancerous tumors and are nationally recognized for their expertise. They offer extensive experience in complex operations and minimally invasive procedures, which minimize scarring and pain.
- Surgery for thyroid tumors
- Surgery for adrenal tumors
- Surgery for hyperparathyroidism and parathyroid tumors
- Surgery for gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NET)
Because the thyroid gland absorbs iodine, radioactive iodine can treat thyroid conditions with only a minor effect on the rest of your body. It can destroy all or part of the thyroid gland, as with hyperthyroidism. It also may be used to treat papillary or follicular thyroid cancer and some other tumors.
Additional Treatments
As part of the Stanford Cancer Center, the Endocrine Tumor Program offers comprehensive cancer care—including the latest medical therapies, radiation techniques, and cancer genetics. Our experts will work with you to design the best care plan for your needs and lifestyle.
You take cancer medications by mouth, through a vein by IV (intravenous) infusion, or by injection. These medications travel through your body to attack cancer cells. We offer:
Our dedicated cancer genetics doctors test tumor cells to identify a tumor’s particular genetic fingerprint. These results help us predict which treatments will be most effective for a given tumor and identify novel targeted therapies.
- External beam radiation
- 3D conformal radiation therapy
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy
- Stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR/SBRT)
Sometimes, neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) metastasize, or spread, to the liver. We offer specific treatments to kill tumor cells directly or block blood flow to the tumor, including:
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Hepatic artery embolization
Your wellness plays a role in the success of your treatment. We offer a range of Circle of Care to assist you and your family throughout your cancer journey. Whether it's nutrition services, integrative medicine, or support groups, we're here for you when you need us.
Genetic Counseling
Many people who develop endocrine tumors have inherited genetic syndromes. Our dedicated cancer geneticists have special training in the genetics of endocrine tumors and in the best ways to help you assess your family’s risk. Test results can guide treatment, identify affected family members, and help with family planning.
We frequently treat multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN1 and MEN2), syndromes of multiple endocrine tumors that are passed down in families. Our services help evaluate for the following genetic syndromes:
This genetic disorder is associated with a lifetime risk for:
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2 (MEN2) is a genetic disorder that can lead to:
- Medullary thyroid carcinoma and its precursor, C-cell hyperplasia
- Pheochromocytoma (PHEO)
- Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
- Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
- Lynch syndrome
Innovation Through Clinical Research
Some of Silicon Valley’s brightest scientific minds are at the Stanford Cancer Institute and the Stanford Medicine Cancer Center. Medical discoveries and clinical advances happen here. Our physicians and scientists work every day to improve cancer prevention, detection, and care. We offer advanced diagnostics, the latest treatment technologies and techniques, and pioneering therapies in development through clinical trials. Let us put innovation to work for you.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.
Open trials refer to studies currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but similar studies may open in the future.
To learn more about the clinical trials we offer, visit: Stanford Cancer Institute Clinical Trials.
We know cancer is more than a condition—it's one of life's greatest disruptors. We offer you and your caregivers the support you need at every step of the way, including a team that actively listens, develops a plan for your unique situation, and stays with you from diagnosis to treatment and beyond.
Your care team will be customized to your needs and the type of endocrine tumor you have. You may receive care from an endocrinologist and a specialized surgeon. Or a medical oncologist may oversee your care. We will coordinate your care among the most appropriate providers.
Your Doctors
Endocrine Surgeon
Endocrine surgeons have advanced training in the care of benign and cancerous endocrine tumors. They treat a range of disorders impacting the body’s endocrine system through open and minimally invasive surgery of the adrenal, thyroid, and parathyroid glands as well as neuroendocrine cells.
View All {0} Endocrine Surgeons »Endocrinologist
These internal medicine physicians specialize in the endocrine system. They may replace the thyroid hormone for people who have had a thyroidectomy (thyroid removal), prepare you to receive radioactive iodine to treat thyroid tumors, and monitor for cancer recurrence.
View All {0} Endocrinologists »Radiation Oncologist
Radiation oncologists have specialized training in using high-energy radiation to destroy cancer or prevent its spread while protecting healthy tissue.
View All {0} Radiation Oncologists »Advanced Practice Provider
Our skilled nurse practitioners specialize in diagnosing and treating gynecologic cancers. They see patients independently and occasionally alongside your doctor. APPs can give you a thorough exam, write prescriptions, and help prevent or treat any issues. Our APPs meet weekly to discuss patient needs.
View All 3 Gynecologic Cancer APPs »Clinical Partnerships
So that you receive the right care from an integrated group of providers, our Endocrine Tumor Program has close clinical partnerships with Stanford's Health Care:
Extended Care Team
Genetic Counselors
Some gynecologic cancers have a genetic component. Our counselors from the Cancer Genetics Program can guide you through decision-making about genetic testing for you and your family.
Nurses and Nurse Coordinators (RNs)
Nurses and nurse coordinators are registered nurses who coordinate your care with your gynecologic cancer team. They guide you from your first contact through follow-up care and help you find counseling, financial, and other support services.
Care Coordinators
Care coordinators provide you with information and assistance before and during your appointment.
- Medical Assistant: Medical assistants work with our team to help provide care. They may prepare you for an examination, assist your doctor, or take your vital signs before your appointment.
- Patient Care Coordinator: Our patient care coordinators help you with scheduling appointments and accessing your lab results. They are your first line of contact before you see your provider and will guide you during your urologic cancer care.
- Patient Access Representative: Patient access representatives can answer your questions about health insurance coverage, help you apply for health insurance, and refer you to our financial counselors.
Multidisciplinary Care Coordinators
These registered nurses provide one-on-one support throughout your care journey. They help you navigate from your first contact with us to follow-up care, assessing your needs, answering your questions, making referrals, coordinating appointments, and providing education.
Radiation Therapists
Our radiation therapists deliver radiation according to the plan developed by your radiation oncologist and other team members.
Medical Physicists
Our medical physicists monitor and calibrate our treatment equipment and oversee the quality of the treatments that are delivered.
Bone Metabolism Physicists
Many people with complex parathyroid tumors will experience osteoporosis (bones becoming brittle). Specialists from our Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Diseases Clinic can help manage this side effect of hyperparathyroidism to protect your bone health.
Nutritionist
Nutritionists work with you to establish an eating plan that meets your nutritional needs and takes into account the challenges of living with an endocrine tumor. They are an important part of the long-term care plan to help people with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) manage the condition.
Speech Pathologist
After thyroid surgery, some people have difficulty with their voice and swallowing. Speech pathologists use their training to help restore pre-operative vocal and speech abilities.
Voice Therapist
These specially trained physical therapists support people who have undergone thyroid surgery. They work with people to relieve vocal cord problems, anxiety, and strain related to treatment or resulting scar tissue.
Research Coordinators
Doctors at Stanford Medicine Cancer Center participate in research efforts to advance the understanding of gynecologic cancers and their treatment. Research coordinators help screen candidates for possible participation in clinical research trials.
Cancer Care Services
Part of your care involves managing your emotional and spiritual health. We offer you and your loved ones services that can help you stay strong through your treatment and recovery.
Our wide range of support services offer a single point of contact to assess your needs and connect you to the help you need. Contact our Cancer Care Services for your personal support plan.
We make access to care as simple as possible. We anticipate what you need and provide support when you need it. Our network of locations puts our services within your reach. User-friendly digital health tools help you stay connected with your care team. We accept most insurance plans and offer discounted transportation, short-stay options, and international travel and translation services. We help make sense of the details, so you can make decisions that are right for you.
Endocrine tumor care is accessible and convenient at Stanford Health Care. Our scheduling staff can coordinate your appointments if needed, so that you can see multiple providers during a single trip.
For Referring Physicians
PHYSICIAN HELPLINE
Fax: 650-320-9443
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Stanford Health Care provides comprehensive services to refer and track patients, as well as the latest information and news for physicians and office staff. For help with all referral needs and questions, visit Referring Physicians.
You may also submit a web referral or complete a referral form and fax it to 650-320-9443 or e-mail the Referral Center at ReferralCenter@stanfordhealthcare.org
HOW TO REFER
Email or fax a cancer referral form with supporting documentation to ReferralCenter@stanfordhealthcare.org or 650-320-9443.
To make an appointment with one of our Endocrine Tumor specialists, call 650-498-6000.