Download integrated multidisciplinary thyroid centre

INTEGRATED
MULTIDISCIPLINARY
THYROID CENTRE
CONTACT
For more information regarding the Integrated
Thyroid Centre, or to book an appointment,
please contact the GP Liaison Department on:
Tel: 020 7234 2009
Fax: 020 7234 2019
Email: [email protected]
HOW TO FIND US:
London Bridge Hospital is situated on the South Bank of
the Thames. We are opposite London Bridge mainline and
underground stations with easy access to the City. Please
note: no right hand turn from Borough High Street into
Duke Street Hill.
Web: www.londonbridgehospital.com
Opening hours:
Monday-Friday, 8.00am – 6.00pm
27-29 Tooley Street, London SE1 2PR
Tel: 020 7407 3100 Fax: 020 7407 3162
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.londonbridgehospital.com
V1/05/14
What is the thyroid gland?
The thyroid gland lies in the front
of the neck just below the Adam’s
apple and is butterfly-shaped.
The right and left wings (lobes) are
joined by a small bridge of thyroid
tissue (body), called the isthmus.
The two lobes lie on either side of
the windpipe. The thyroid gland
manufactures hormones, which
circulate in the bloodstream and
control the metabolism of all
the cells and tissues in the body.
Thyroid hormones are essential
for survival.
What can go wrong
with the thyroid?
Disorders of the thyroid are
relatively common, affecting up to
1 in 20 people of all ages, and are
more common in women than in
men. Most thyroid problems can
be treated very effectively.
ABNORMALITIES OF THYROID
HORMONE PRODUCTION
Most common thyroid problems involve
either excessive thyroid hormone production
(hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis) or too little
thyroid production (hypothyroidism). There can be a
variety of reasons for these problems, most of which
can be treated successfully with tablets; however,
occasionally they require treatment with radioiodine
or surgery, all of which can be provided by our
comprehensive service.
GOITRES
Any enlargement of the thyroid gland is called
goitre. This can be caused by the whole gland being
enlarged (diffuse goitre) or due to solitary or multiple
nodules (nodular goitre) within the thyroid. The
majority of goitres are not cancerous. However, a
small proportion of goitres may harbour cancer cells,
and it is important that a specialist team properly
assesses all goitres.
THYROID CANCER
Thyroid cancers are rare, but the incidence is
increasing. Over 60% of thyroid cancers present
with a palpable thyroid lump. The vast majority of
thyroid cancers are curable with adequate treatment,
which usually includes surgery to remove all or part
of the thyroid gland. The surgical treatment is usually
followed with radioiodine treatment and hormone
replacement therapy.
THE SERVICE
The Integrated Multidisciplinary Thyroid Centre
at London Bridge Hospital is the product of
collaboration between the thyroid multidisciplinary
team of the South East London Head and Neck
Cancer Network, and the newly-formed London
Cancer Alliance.
The London Bridge Hospital Integrated Thyroid
Centre offers a comprehensive service for all types
of thyroid disorders, including underactive and
overactive thyroid, thyroiditis, thyroid nodules,
thyroid goitres and thyroid cancer. Our expert
team of clinicians have extensive experience in the
management of all aspects of thyroid disease, and
can offer effective diagnostic services and treatments
for every thyroid condition; from abnormalities of
thyroid hormone production, through to highlycomplex thyroid surgery.
Our Centre is equipped with state-of-the-art
technology to diagnose and treat thyroid disorders.
We offer blood tests, high-resolution ultrasoundguided Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC),
nuclear medicine thyroid scans, computerised
tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. All
necessary investigations can be carried out quickly,
on site, by our team of experienced clinicians.
Thyroid cancer and complex cases are discussed at
the weekly Thyroid Multidisciplinary Team meeting
where the most appropriate and comprehensive
recommendation is made for each patient.
The Team offers a comprehensive range of thyroid
surgeries for benign conditions and thyroid cancer.
We also offer revision thyroid surgery and extensive
procedures such as the removal of retrosternal
goitres, which sometimes require collaboration with
the Team’s thoracic surgeons. The surgical team
also has access to neuromonitoring, which allows
our surgeons to identify, confirm and monitor the
recurrent laryngeal nerve and other cranial nerves
during thyroid surgery.
The Integrated Thyroid Centre at London Bridge
Hospital offers a unique, multidisciplinary approach
to all thyroid disorders.
We work in partnership with patients to allow an
informed choice to be made regarding the latest
treatment options.