Newswise — June 18, 2014 -- The American Thyroid Association (ATA) will provide clinicians with a preview of the updated, hands-on recommendations to guide the evaluation and treatment of patients with thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer. To discuss the new guidelines, describe how they differ from the previous version, and deliver a case-based discussion of their practical application, the ATA will hold a special satellite symposium prior to the ICE/ENDO conference in Chicago, IL, on Friday, June 20 entitled "2014 Guidelines on Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer--Highlights, Controversies and Consensus."

This continuing medical education program intended for endocrinologists, internists, surgeons, pathologists, nurse practitioners, and other health care professionals will highlight novel approaches and technologies for managing thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Presentation topics include the use of neck ultrasound to guide fine needle aspiration of thyroid nodules and the application of molecular markers to guide decision-making in the treatment of thyroid nodules.

A series of speakers will discuss approaches to initial therapy for DTC. Specific topics include preoperative disease mapping and voice assessment, surgical approaches, staging and risk stratification, the use of radioactive iodine, and integrating response to therapy into patient monitoring. Presentations will also focus specifically on the management of patients with advanced DTC and therapy for radioactive iodine-refractory disease.

ATA Past President and Chair of the Guidelines Task Force, Bryan R. Haugen, MD, University of Colorado School of Medicine will introduce the program and describe the process of developing the 2014 guidelines. The speakers include:• Susan J. Mandel, MD, MPH, University of Pennsylvania• Yuri Nikiforov, MD, PhD, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center• David L. Steward, MD, University of Cincinnati• Gregory W. Randolph, MD, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary• Julie Ann Sosa, MD, Duke University School of Medicine• Erik K. Alexander, MD, Brigham & Women's Hospital• Anna M. Sawka, MD, PhD, Toronto General Hospital• R. Michael Tuttle, MD, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center• Furio Pacini, MD, University of Siena• Keith C. Bible, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic

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The American Thyroid Association (ATA) is the leading worldwide organization dedicated to the advancement, understanding, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disorders and thyroid cancer. ATA is an international individual membership organization with over 1,600 members from 43 countries around the world.

Celebrating its 91st anniversary, ATA delivers its mission through several key endeavors: the publication of highly regarded monthly journals, THYROID, Clinical Thyroidology, VideoEndocrinology and Clinical Thyroidology for the Public; annual scientific meetings; biennial clinical and research symposia; research grant programs for young investigators, support of online professional, public and patient educational programs; and the development of guidelines for clinical management of thyroid disease.

More information about ATA is found at www.thyroid.org.

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