The new evidence-based guidelines, developed by an ATA task force of thyroid cancer experts, were published in Thyroid in 2006. The purpose of the updated guidelines was to provoke new ideas and address controversies regarding the diagnosis and initial management of thyroid cancer, given the rising incidence of the disease during the past three decades.
"For the first time, the ATA is bringing its updated Management Guidelines into the regional medical community to bring these state-of-the-art documents to life as their authors help clinicians from multiple disciplines apply these Guidelines to real patient care. Our goal is to help medical professionals and their patients by advancing the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer," said Richard Kloos, M.D., program chair and secretary/chief operating officer of the ATA.
The workshop is designed to bring together endocrinologists, surgeons, nuclear medicine physicians and respective subspecialty fellows to address a variety of thyroid cancer topics, including:
"¢ Recent developments in the management of thyroid cancer and integration of new diagnostic and follow-up paradigms and the latest thyroid cancer therapies"¢ Integrating changes in treatment that result from the evolving demography of thyroid cancer"¢ The pathophysiology of thyroid cancer as it relates to new thyroid cancer drug therapies"¢ New drugs in the management of differentiated thyroid carcinoma and medullary thyroid carcinoma In 2008, thyroid cancer is expected to reach a record number of 37,340 newly diagnosed people in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the American Cancer Society. Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common type, making up about 70% to 80% of all thyroid cancers and can occur at any age.
For information about the program, go to http://www.thyroid.org/ann_mtg/2008_Thyroid_Cancer_Workshop/index.html
Over 25,000 free copies of the guidelines were downloaded form the ATA website between 2006-07, underscoring the educational need physicians have for understanding the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer.
For a copy of the management guidelines, go to http://www.thyroid.org/professionals/publications/guidelines.html
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.
A non-profit medical society founded in 1923, the ATA fulfills its mission through supporting excellence and innovation in research, clinical care, education, and public health. ATA members are physicians and scientists who work to enhance the understanding of thyroid physiology and pathophysiology, improve the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases, and promote the education of physicians, patients, and the public about thyroid disorders.
Thyroid diseases are among the most common disorders of the endocrine system, affecting almost 13 million Americans alone. The ATA has extensive online information for patients on thyroid disease (in English and Spanish) serving the clinician as a resource for patients and the public who look for reliable information on the internet.
To further benefit patients, the ATA Alliance for Patient Education was formed in 2002 to offer an exchange of information between the ATA and patient education groups: ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc.; the Light of Life Foundation, and the National Graves' Disease Foundation. A public forum is held each year in conjunction with the ATA annual meeting.
Thyroid Research grants total over $275,000 annually to young investigators. Publications sourced by this research and application procedures are available at http://www.thyroid.org.
The 79th annual meeting of the ATA will be in Chicago from October 1-5, 2008 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. All registration and program information is available at http://www.thyroid.org. We welcome your participation.
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