THERAPIES
TACKLING THYROID PROBLEMS CLOSE TO HOME
New Thyroid Center at Chilton Medical Center combines state-of-the-art imaging and treatment to help people battle thyroid cancer and other conditions
While acancer diagnosisalwaysbrings alevel of
concern , there is good news whenitcomes to thyroid cancer . It ’ sone of themosttreatabletypes of cancers .
The thyroid is abutterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck that releases hormones thatcontrol the body ’ smetabolism . These hormonesregulatearangeofbodilyfunctions . Disordersofthe thyroid range from goiter ( an enlarged gland ) to potentially life-threatening cancer .
Successful thyroid cancer treatment typically starts with a surgery , called a thyroidectomy , that removes the thyroid gland . Many peoplethen also benefit from anuclear medicinetreatment calledradioactive iodine therapy , which helpstodestroy any remainingcancercells .
At Chilton Medical Center ’ s new Thyroid and Parathyroid Diagnostic Imaging andTreatment Center , ateam led by radiologist Jeffrey Plutchok , MD , uses state-of-the-art imaging and radioactive iodinetherapytogive thyroidcancer patientsthe best chanceoflong-termsuccess .
“ I help to get ridofany remaining thyroid tissue and thyroid cancer ,” Plutchok adds .
Patients receiving radioactive iodinetherapy willfollow a special diet fortwo weeks leading up to treatment and will be pre-medicatedwithadrugcalled Thyrogen . Two daysafter patients receive Thyrogen , Plutchok and his team willimage patients anddeliver the radioactiveiodine therapy . Patientsthen return one week laterfor awhole-body scan and will follow-up with their medicalteam over thenextyear .
Nurse navigatorBridget Laudien , RN , workswith all thyroid cancer patients to provideeducation , schedule appointmentsand answerquestionsabout insurancecoverage . Patients also will meet withaphysicist who willhelp ensure treatments are delivered safely . “ Data show that radioactiveiodine therapy is safe ,” Plutchok says , “ and we treat gently to give theleast amountofradiation possible .”
The team at Chilton also usesradioactive iodine to treat overactive thyroid glands ( a non-cancerous condition called hyperthyroidism ). In addition , theteam is developing aprogram to use ultrasound , nuclearmedicine andhigh-resolution 4-D CT scans to image small , non-cancerous tumors of the tiny parathyroidglandsthatcan cause hyperthyroidism .
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Ask your doctor to check your neck during your next office visit . Thyroid cancer can cause any of the following warning signs or symptoms :
■ Alump or swelling in the neck
■ Trouble breathing or swallowing
■ Hoarseness or other voice changes
■ Pain in the front of the neck
■ Aconstant cough that is not due to acold
Jeffrey Plutchok , M . D .
PHOTO : CHILTON MEDICAL CENTER
To learn more , contact the Chilton Medical Center Thyroid and Parathyroid Diagnostic Imaging and Treatment Center at 973-831-5130 .
HOLIDAY 2020 CHILTON MAGAZINE