Johns Hopkins Endocrine Surgery provides state-of-the art surgical care of endocrine diseases (thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands). Endocrine diseases are those that affect hormone producing glands of the body and require specialized care. At Johns Hopkins, our team collaborates with experts in endocrinology, ultrasound and diagnostic imaging, nuclear medicine, pathology, genetics and oncology to offer a comprehensive approach tailored to each person's needs. Research informs every aspect of your care to ensure that you have benefit from cutting-edge treatment options.
Why Choose Johns Hopkins for Endocrine Surgery
Advanced Research
Along with providing patient care, we conduct research on our outcomes and endocrine surgical diseases to ensure we are providing the best and most effective care.
Multidisciplinary Care
We partner with endocrinology, pathology, radiology and oncology experts to provide quality care. Our team reviews each patient's condition at tumor board meetings for multidisciplinary care. Our pathologists and radiologists can provide a second opinion for your diagnosis.
Minimally Invasive Procedures
Our endocrine surgeons are fellowship-trained and accredited by the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons. We are experienced in the treatment of common and unusual endocrine conditions, including those requiring initial and recurrent surgery.
Conditions We Treat
Our surgeons treat the following endocrine conditions. Learn more about these conditions.
Thyroid
- Goiter
- Graves' Disease
- Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Thyroid cancer, disease and tumors
- Thyroid nodules
Parathyroid
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Parathyroid cancer
- Parathyroid nodule
- Parathyroid tumors
Adrenal
- Adrenal tumors (in collaboration the Comprehensive Adrenal Center)
- Adrenocortical carcinoma
- Pheochromocytoma
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Aldosteronoma
Genetic Disorders
- Multiple endocrine neoplasias (MEN1, MEN2A, MEN2B)
- Familial medullary thyroid cancer
- Familial papillary thyroid cancer
- Succinate dehydrogenase mutations (SDH)
- Paraganglioma
Surgical Treatments We Perform
- Minimally invasive endocrine surgery
- Thyroid surgery including thyroidectomy
- Parathyroid surgery including parathyroidectomy
- Adrenal Surgery including laparoscopic adrenalectomy
- Reoperative or revision surgery
Active Research
Our team conducts ongoing research aimed to improve the treatment and quality of life for people with endocrine conditions. Learn more about areas of research related to thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal surgery.
Thyroid Research
- Shared Decision-Making: Research on this concept evaluates how shared decision-making related to the extent of thyroid surgery is influenced by the patient's gender, race, ethnicity, and social status.
- Voice and Swallowing Changes: We are conducting an observational study to understand how thyroid and parathyroid surgery performed without any complications impacts a person's voice, swallowing, and quality of life. The goal is to identify patients who are at risk of these subtle but important changes after thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy and find solutions to improve outcomes.
- Health Literacy: Our team is conducting a study determine how patients select the best thyroid surgery for them when there are multiple options. Our goal is to learn how patients best understand their treatment options to improve patient education to assist them in making the most informed choice and the best one for them.
Adrenal Research
- Quality of Life After Adrenalectomy: Our team is conducting research to evaluate the quality of life for individuals with Cushing's syndrome after undergoing an adrenalectomy. Patients who have an adrenal nodule and Cushing's syndrome (excessive steroid hormone) have many challenging symptoms including a change in appearance (round, puffy face), buffalo hump (an increase in fat pads just below the back of the neck), truncal obesity (increase in weight around the abdomen), wasting of muscles that causes weakness, easy bruising, facial hair in women, purplish "stretch marks" on your abdomen, easy infections, thinned skin with easy bruising or bleeding, high blood pressure, and changes in emotions from feelings of high to low. Some patients with excess steroid have nodules in both adrenal glands. We are examining whether quality of life is better for patients who have one adrenal gland removed (laparoscopic adrenalectomy) versus both adrenal glands removed (bilateral adrenalectomy).
Parathyroid Research
- High Parathyroid Hormone (PTH): We are enrolling patients in a clinical study to help understand how high PTH levels can affect the heart and brain. Specifically, we are studying how high PTH impacts your mood and how you think (cognitive function). High PTH does not impact everyone the same way . We are working to identify other blood markers that can predict which patients with hyperparathyroidism will develop changes in cognitive function so we can work to prevent them.
Recently Published Research
Dr. Lilah Morris-Wiseman reviews how the genetics of papillary thyroid cancer can predict survival in BRAF V600E Decreases Survival in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Cancer-Related Lymph Node Metastases.
Endocrine Surgeons and Care Providers
Endocrine surgeon provide surgical treatment for thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal conditions. Our surgeons have a comprehensive understanding endocrinology, radiology, pathology and oncology, collaborating with specialists to determine which treatment options would be best for your endocrine condition.
Aarti Mathur, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Vice Chair of Faculty Development
Associate Professor of Surgery
Associate Professor of Oncology
Associate Professor of Surgery
Associate Professor of Oncology
Lilah Fran Morris-Wiseman, M.D.
Chief, Johns Hopkins Division of Endocrine Surgery
Associate Professor of Surgery
Associate Professor of Oncology
Associate Professor of Surgery
Associate Professor of Oncology
Advanced Practice Providers
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David Savin, PA-C
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Caroline Umana, BSN, RN
