Endocrine tumor screening in Tampa
Many patients can suffer for years before an endocrine tumor is detected. Through the Care Assure program at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery, we use innovative technologies to detect endocrine tumor disease.
Historically, more than 50% of patients receiving treatment for an endocrine tumor had evidence of the tumor for several years on previous blood work or radiologic studies. We provide nurse navigators at participating HCA Florida Healthcare hospitals who help identify and make sure patients with evidence of an endocrine tumor are notified, so they can receive the appropriate follow up.
Care Assure
Identifying thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal tumors
Many endocrine tumors are not diagnosed, and patients can suffer the effects of poorly regulated hormones for years, having a tremendous impact on how patients feel and their overall health.
Background: Why endocrine screening is needed
Fortunately, many endocrine tumors are able to be seen on CT scans of the neck (for thyroid) or CT scans of the abdomen (for adrenal). Parathyroid tumors are often discovered by detecting high levels of calcium in the patient's blood. Unfortunately, these incidental findings are overlooked as they are often unrelated to the reason for the emergency visit.
Adrenal tumor screening
Adrenal tumors occur in 3.5% of adults. These small, round adrenal tumors are often seen when patients go to the emergency room of their local hospital and get a cat-scan of their abdomen. Adrenal tumors are benign more than 95% of the time, but they can make adrenal hormone. This means that every patient with an adrenal tumor seen on a scan should have their adrenal hormones checked.
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