Endocrine surgery includes operations on the thyroid gland, the parathyroid glands and tumors of the pancreas. Together with the Digestive Disease Institute and Section of Endocrinology, the surgeons at Virginia Mason in Seattle have special interest and expertise in treating patients with these problems.
For example, tumors of the thyroid gland are treated surgically but most patients also require postoperative treatment, which is coordinated by the section of endocrinology.
Similarly, the surgeons at Virginia Mason have special expertise in treating patients with hormone secreting tumors of the parathyroid glands or the pancreas. These pancreatic tumors, called islet cell tumors, usually require surgical removal, however, evaluation of patients with these tumors is achieved with the help of the Section of Endocrinology and the Digestive Disease Institute.