Who should lead my team?

[philomath]

I have a cold thyroid nodule and assume my next step will be a FNA after seeing my internist on Wed.  I'm wondering, however, who would be the best person to coordinate my treatment and options from here?  An Endo? Surgeon? Oncologist (if FNA is not benign).  Who should my primary contact be if I want to move beyond my internist?

Additionally, I'm at a loss at how to find a good specialist.  Should I be looking for someone who works with Johns Hopkins in Baltimore (as it has been mentioned frequently on this site)?  How would I even find out who would use JH to read my biopsy?  I'd love ACTUAL recommendations for professionals in the Suburban Maryland area to perform and interpret the FNA, and provide treatment and surgery, if necessary.


Thanks, D.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Would call the thyroid center at Johns Hopkins and ask for an evaluation by Dr. Cooper or Dr. Ladenson -- if you can get in there.  An endocrinologist should be the one to coordinate this.

I have also shared patients with Ruth Hurwitz in private practice in that area - she has been very good as would be Pamela Schroeder who recently trained at Hopkins and is in private practice in the area.

[ChitChatNine]

I had 4 opinions after my atypical FNA for a thyroid nodule .. my internist suggested I see an Endo as he/she would be a "neutral" opinion as they don't perform surgery.  I also saw 2 ENT's and 2 Endo's .. My ENT was a top Dr. and I had to wait 9 weeks for surgery ..longest 9 weeks of my life but after he ascertained the wait would be ok for my condition I booked him immediately.  He had done over 900 thyroidectomies alone!  So make sure you as how many they have done .. my ENT was quite surprised I asked .. he said not many do ... well, I do LOL!

I got my FNA Biopsy results back 15mins after the procedure .. it was done at a Breast Cancer Ctr that give immediate results and does FNA's for thyroid 2X week ... also ask around bcz some facilities are more on the cutting edge than others for accurate FNA diagnoses.  My pathologist came in and did a phys. exam, also!

Turned out the orig two nodules were benign but they found two small areas of pap micro's .. but I'm fine and glad Ihad surgery.

[philomath]

Thanks for your comments and suggestions.  I will make some calls today and keep you all informed.  

My internist has recommended the surgeon Dr. Goiccochea in the Rockville area and said that he does "many" of these procedures.  Has anyone had experience with this doctor?

Thanks again, D.