Thyroid Nodules Present Dilemmas

Newswise — Nodules appear on the thyroid glands of close to 300,000 Americans every year. Unfortunately, upon evaluation some thyroid nodules will indicate thyroid cancer. Evaluating and treating thyroid nodules presents medical dilemmas and controversies. Even many experts disagree on what should be done when thyroid nodules appear.

Hossein Gharib, M.D., professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, will speak on "Thyroid Nodules: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Dilemmas" in a session held from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Friday, January 23, 2009 in Americana 3, 2nd level at the American Thyroid Association's National Thyroid Cancer Workshop II, Frontiers in Thyroid Cancer: ATA Guidelines in Clinical Practice to be held January 23 " 24, 2009 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida.

"Most experts agree that thyroid ultrasound should be performed on all patients with one or more than thyroid nodules," said Dr. Gharib. "In addition, the ATA recommendation is that fine needle biopsy is the procedure of choice to evaluate a thyroid nodule and on average 75 percent of those biopsies are satisfactory and negative for malignancy."

Controversy exists in follow-up procedures, even for benign thyroid nodules, and Dr. Gharib will discuss these as well as outline important changes in the practice of evaluating and treating thyroid nodules over the last 30 years. He will also participate in a Question & Answer session at 9:30 a.m. in the same meeting room.

Members of the media can find additional information at the ATA's Media Room, the Lucina Room, 3rd floor, Loews Miami Beach Hotel.

The American Thyroid Association (ATA) is the lead organization in promoting thyroid health and understanding thyroid biology. The ATA values scientific inquiry, clinical excellence, public service, education, collaboration, and collegiality. ATA members are physicians and scientists who work to enhance the understanding of thyroid physiology and pathophysiology, improve diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases, and promote the education of physicians, patients, and the public about thyroid cancer. Thyroid diseases are the most disorders of the endocrine system, affecting almost 13 million Americans.