Guide on When to Refer Patients to the Endocrine Oncology Clinic at Moffitt
Moffitt Cancer Center's Endocrine Oncology Program offers a multidisciplinary approach to managing both common and rare endocrine tumors. To ensure timely evaluation, patients can be seen within one week for a consultation with one of our endocrine experts. Our program offers world-class expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of malignant, premalignant and benign endocrine tumors.
In this Q&A, we address key referral considerations for primary care providers, endocrinologists and otolaryngologists.
Q: What types of endocrine tumors should I refer patients to Moffitt’s Endocrine Oncology Program?
The most frequently referred to tumors and syndromes include:
- Thyroid nodules
- Thyroid cancers – including papillary, follicular, medullary, oncocytic (Hürthle cell), aggressive high-grade, poorly differentiated, and anaplastic variants.
- Adrenal nodules -- including pheochromocytomas, aldosterone or cortisol-producing nodules, benign, malignant, or indeterminate nodules
- Adrenocortical carcinoma
- Parathyroid tumors (benign and malignant)
- Pituitary tumors
- Cushing’s syndrome requiring pituitary or adrenal surgery
- Hyperparathyroidism requiring parathyroid surgery
- Hyperaldosteronism requiring adrenal surgery
- Paragangliomas and paraganglioma syndromes, including carotid body tumors
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndromes (MEN1, MEN 2, MEN4)
- Other hereditary endocrine tumor syndromes such as SDH Mutations, Cowden Syndrome and Von Hippel-Lindau
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Q: Why refer early—and to Moffitt specifically?
Our team of oncologic endocrinologists specializes in diagnosing and treating endocrine tumors, and our surgery center is recognized as one of the leading facilities in the nation. Our high-volume expert surgeons are fellowship-trained in surgical oncology, surgical management of advanced cancers and innovative surgical approaches to complex operations. As a result, our patients’ outcomes exceed the national averages.
To ensure timely care, we offer consultations within one week for patients with known or suspected endocrine malignancies. Most other endocrine tumors are also evaluated within this timeframe. Patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules or newly diagnosed thyroid cancer may be eligible for our multidisciplinary thyroid clinic, where they are seen jointly by an endocrinologist and a thyroid surgeon during the same visit for a coordinated, comprehensive evaluation.
Our Endocrine tumor board multidisciplinary team of experts includes:
- Endocrinologists and oncologists
- Thyroid/parathyroid, adrenal and pituitary surgeons
- Radiologists and nuclear medicine specialists
- Pathologists
- Genetic counselors
- Radiation oncologists
This multidisciplinary endocrine tumor board of experts meets weekly to review each patient’s case to ensure they receive a coordinated, personalized plan shaped by multiple expert perspectives. We recognize that surgery is only one component of the management of endocrine tumors. Preoperative evaluation and postoperative follow-up and surveillance are integral to the comprehensive care patients receive at Moffitt.
Q: What advanced diagnostic and treatment options are available for these tumors?
We offer both surgical and non-surgical innovations, including:
- Minimally invasive approaches to adrenal surgery, including posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy (laparoscopic adrenal surgery through the back)
- Autofluorescence imaging to identify and preserve parathyroid glands
- Intraoperative nerve monitoring to protect vocal cord function
- Molecular testing and genetic profiling to guide therapy
- Access to targeted therapies, immunotherapies and clinical trials for rare or treatment-resistant cases
- Expertise in adrenal vein sampling (AVS) for lateralization in primary aldosteronism
- Expertise in inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) for localization of ACTH-producing tumors in Cushing’s syndrome
- Access to endocrine dynamic testing, including oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for acromegaly and Saline infusion testing for primary aldosteronism
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for selecting benign or toxic thyroid nodules
- Active surveillance for select low-risk thyroid cancers as part of a personalized treatment approach
- Highly specialized medical management of endocrine tumors not amenable to surgery.
Q: How can referring providers partner with Moffitt?
Our team works closely with community providers to support timely diagnosis, second opinions, surgical planning and comprehensive cancer care. We aim to serve as an extension of your care team—delivering expertise while maintaining continuity and collaboration.
Q: How do I refer a patient?
If you have a patient diagnosed with or suspected of having an endocrine cancer or tumor, we would be happy to collaborate on their evaluation and treatment plan. Please complete our online form or email our physician liaisons for assistance.