September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, and physicians from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Otolaryngology are available to discuss risk factors, prevention and treatment options.
- Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer.
- It occurs in all age groups, mainly adults. It affects about three times as many women as men.
- There are several types—papillary, follicular, medullary, anaplastic, and variants.
What are the signs and symptoms of thyroid cancer?
- A lump in the neck, sometimes growing quickly
- Swelling in the neck
- Pain in the front of the neck, sometimes going up to the ears
- Hoarseness or other voice changes that do not go away within a couple weeks
- Trouble swallowing or breathing
- A constant cough that is not due to a cold
Experts
Erin Buczek, M.D.
Areas of expertise:
- Head and Neck Cancer
- Head and Neck Endocrine (Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery)
- Salivary Gland Tumors
- Skin Cancer
- Robotic Assisted Surgery
- Laser Microsurgery
- Facial Trauma
Buczek, associate director of the department's residency program, is a head and neck oncologists and endocrine surgeon that can provide her expert opinion on topics related to head and neck cancers, thyroid and parathyroid diseases, salivary gland tumors, skin cancer, robotic assisted surgery, laser microsurgery and facial trauma.
Benjamin Greene, M.D.
Areas of expertise:
- Head and neck oncology
- Microvascular reconstruction
- Facial nerve repair and rehabilitation
Greene is an expert in the spectrum of diseases and disorders of the head and neck, including head and neck cancer, skin cancer, facial nerve paralysis, thyroid diseases, facial trauma, transoral robotic surgery (TORS), transoral laser microsurgery, general otolaryngology and nasal obstruction/functional surgery.
William Carroll, M.D.
Areas of expertise:
- Head and neck oncology
- Transoral robotic surgery (TORS)
Carroll is the chair of the Department of Otolaryngology and a widely-recognized leader in the field of head and neck oncology. He can speak about the full range of head and neck cancers, including benign and malignant tumors of the oral cavity, oropharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), sinuses, skull base, salivary glands and surrounding skin.
Carroll also is a leader in the use of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in the resection of head and neck tumors. He continues to evaluate novel therapies in head and neck cancer and related disorders.
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