If you select carefully, the unwanted errors of thyroid surgery can be avoided
Dr. Ralph P. Tufano
is the Director of the Division of Head and Neck Endocrine Surgery at The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and conducts thyroid and parathyroid surgery with a focus on optimizing outcomes. He is a recognized world authority on the management of thyroid cancer, thyroid nodules, benign thyroid diseases and parathyroid disease. He has expertise in the management of thyroid cancer nodal metastases, advanced and invasive thyroid cancers as well as recurrent thyroid cancers. His work in molecular markers, improving surgical outcomes, nerve monitoring and exploring novel treatment techniques for thyroid and parathyroid diseases has helped the medical field tailor and personalize treatment for patients with these conditions. He is a Charles W. Cummings Professor, sits on the American Thyroid Association Board of Directors, is Director of the Division of Head and Neck Endocrine Surgery, and is a part of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. He conducts approximately 450 thyroid surgeries annually.
In this interview, items discussed include:
- the emotional burden of being diagnosed with cancer and the haste that sometimes follows
- the unnecessary damage of thyroid surgery, including the cutting of the laryngeal nerve resulting in vocal cord paralysis, low calcium levels and a need to supplement calcium and Vitamin D for life, and leaving residual disease behind
- knowing your risk factor and finding the right medical team to address it
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