The endocrine system secretes hormones into the bloodstream to help regulate many of the body’s systems. The major endocrine glands are the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid , adrenals, pancreas, ovaries, and testes. 

When endocrine problems arise, particularly cancers of these glands, the board-certified surgeons at Hurley Medical Center offer a variety of surgical options, including minimally invasive techniques that can help treat and correct these disorders. The following are among the surgical procedures that our surgeons perform:

• Thyroid surgery. This is the most common surgical procedure for the treatment of thyroid cancer. All or part of the thyroid gland may be removed, depending on the type of cancer, the location of the tumor, and the size of the tumor.

• Minimally invasive parathryoidectomy. When appropriate, this technique for removing parathyroid tumors uses a smaller incision than traditional open surgery. The result is less pain, less scarring, a faster return to normal activities, and reduced risk of damage to the nerves in this delicate area. Our surgeons also conduct preoperative localization studies for parathyroid tumors to help identify the over-active gland before the surgery is performed.

• Laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Another minimally invasive procedure, laparascopic adrenalectomy allows the surgeon to use a thin tube with various surgical and viewing tools attached to it to perform removal of adrenal tumors. This allows for a smaller incision, less pain, a faster return to normal activities, and fewer risks than associated with traditional abdominal surgery.