Over the weekend, I was able to attend a revolutionary class in Boston at the Harvard School of Medicine discussing the ways we can use genetics and improved ultrasound diagnostics to reduce the number of patients that must undergo surgery for suspected thyroid cancer. These techniques may also reduce the risk of complications of surgery.

The rates of thyroid cancer has increased dramatically over the last several decades while technological advances in molecular analysis of patients has as well. This has resulted in a “tremendous new data set that is important to convey to medical endocrinologists and thyroid and parathyroid surgeons,” states the President and Fellows of Harvard College in the course description. We went into great detail examining the relationship molecular testing options have with preoperative information such as the thyroid nodule preoperative workup, ultrasound, etc. We also explored information on genetic analysis, advantages and limitations in preoperative imaging for patients with hyperparathyroidism, learned about the new methods for tracking and reporting specimens. The two day course covered a lot of ground, but was an exceptional opportunity for me to bring home information from some of the top medical professionals on the subject of thyroid cancer to our community. Alongside our talented general surgeon, Dr. Preston Morehead, the surgical team and my clinic staff, we are well on our way to creating a thyroid surgery center of excellence right here in Wilson County!

While in Boston, I also made a little time to enjoy some of the sights with my wife, Cindy. We took a trolley tour and got to see a little bit of this historic city:

 

 

 

 

Boston Common – Established 1634, it is the oldest city park in the United States!

Previously known as the Bull & Finch Pub, this is the place that inspired the show Cheers.

Boston Harbor – on the way to the course.