
12 episodes

RFAMD Philip James
-
- Health & Fitness
Remove thyroid nodules without surgery. Consider ablation instead, the non-surgical way to treat benign and malignant thyroid nodules.
Hosted by Philip James from the Doctor Thyroid podcast.
-
Functional Medicine Embraces Thyroid Ablation (RFA) 🛑 with Dr. Angela Mazza
Find an RFA doctor at www.rfamd.com
In an interview with Philip James from the RFAMD podcast, Dr. Mazza explained why functional medicine and ablation are a good marriage, and how RFA has become an essential tool in her practice.
Functional medicine looks at the person as a whole, integrating traditional medicine with a holistic approach. Dr. Mazza uses traditional therapies and combines them with lifestyle strategies, different nutraceuticals, and additional functional testing that looks at other things, other than just traditional labs like gut testing and food sensitivities, and hormone testing. She believes in finding the root cause of what's going on and helping patients have their best lives.
Dr. Mazza has been doing thyroid ultrasounds and biopsies for almost 15 years and has seen how the therapy of thyroid nodules has changed over the years. She understands that there are great functional treatments like nutraceuticals and lifestyle changes that can help all thyroid nodules, but that's not necessarily the case for a lot of patients with nodules. Therefore, she was happy to adopt radiofrequency ablation into her practice to provide patients with an alternative to surgery.
The thyroid is essential for pretty much every aspect of our overall well-being, and it can be a challenge to recreate what the thyroid does when a patient has had their thyroid removed. Dr. Mazza believes that replacing thyroid hormone is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and not everybody responds to the same therapy. She has seen how some of her patients who have had thyroidectomy struggle to regain their health and wellness, and how it can be challenging to bring someone back to where they were before they had their thyroid removed.
Dr. Mazza is one of many doctors who are offering ablation to patients and advocating for saving the thyroid as long as the outcome is best for the patient. By adopting ablation as part of her practice, Dr. Mazza is helping her patients avoid surgery, which can be invasive and come with a range of risks and complications. Instead, RFA is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat generated from radio waves to destroy the cells in the nodule, which can then be reabsorbed by the body.
Functional medicine and ablation are a good marriage because they allow doctors to treat the patient as a whole and provide personalized care. With functional medicine, doctors can identify the root cause of the problem, and with ablation, they can provide patients with a less invasive alternative to surgery. Dr. Mazza's practice, the Metabolic Center for Wellness, provides patients with a range of treatments and therapies that aim to improve their overall health and wellness, and RFA is just one of the tools she uses to achieve that goal.
If you're interested in learning more about functional medicine or RFA, you can contact Dr. Mazza through the Metabolic Center for Wellness website. Overall, functional medicine and ablation are proving to be a good combination for doctors like Dr. Mazza, who are committed to providing patients with personalized, holistic care that treats the whole person, not just their symptoms.
🔷🔷🔷🔷
The Doctor Thyroid and RFAMD podcast with Philip James is listened to in 100+ countries. It is a preferred patient resource for information related to thyroid cancer, RFA, hypothyroidism, pathology, and radiation therapy.
Contact Philip at
philipjames@docthyroid.com
www.rfamd.com
www.docthyroid.com
About Dr. Angela Mazza
Angela D. Mazza, D.O. is the founder and medical director of Metabolic Center for Wellness, P.A. in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Mazza strives to empower her patients to achieve their unique goals to manage their conditions, whether prediabetes, diabetes, thyroid or any endocrine issue, through education, lifestyle management, and support.
Dr. Mazza has a significant research background in both basic and clinical realms of diabetes and has been principal investigat -
Treating Parathyroid Disease with Ablation 🛑 NO SURGERY REQUIRED with Dr. Bülent Çekiç
Find an RFA doctor at www.rfamd.com
Parathyroid adenomas are a common medical condition that results from the abnormal growth of one or more parathyroid glands. Patients with this condition may suffer from symptoms like high parathyroid hormone levels, high calcium levels, osteoporosis, and even kidney stones. While surgery is the traditional treatment for parathyroid adenomas, it can be difficult and traumatic for the patient, especially when the adenomas are located deep in the neck. In recent years, ablation therapy has emerged as an alternative to surgery for treating parathyroid adenomas.
To learn more about ablation therapy for parathyroid adenomas, we interviewed Dr. Bülent Çekiç, an interventional radiologist from Turkey who has treated over 4,000 cases of thyroid ablation. Dr. Çekiç is well known for not only treating patients but also training other doctors in ablation therapy. According to Dr. Çekiç, parathyroid ablation can be a quick, comfortable, and fast resolution with no surgery.
During the interview, Dr. Çekiç explained that parathyroid adenomas can be fixed through ablation. He emphasized that the most crucial aspect of the procedure is a very good thyroid section before ablation. After a thorough examination of the patient's condition, including laboratory tests and parathyroid scintigraphy, Dr. Çekiç and his team can perform ablation therapy, which typically takes only between 10 and 15 minutes. The procedure time is minimal, and patients can return to normal life in maximum one hour. Moreover, after only one day, the patient's parathormone levels return to normal. Dr. Çekiç also highlighted that parathyroid ablation is very close to the regular laryngeal nerve, which is why a good thyroid section is vital before ablation.
Dr. Çekiç also noted that parathyroid adenomas are mostly small, with a size of between 1 and 2 centimeters, and their stiffness is low. He explained that the ablation time is maximum one or two minutes, and the pilot trade adenoma ablation time is between three and four minutes. He added that only after 20 or 30 minutes, the patients can be discharged.
In conclusion, ablation therapy is a promising alternative to surgery for treating parathyroid adenomas. According to Dr. Çekiç, it is effective, comfortable, and fast, with a quick recovery time. Patients can return to normal life in maximum one hour, and their parathormone levels return to normal after only one day. Dr. Çekiç's extensive experience in thyroid ablation makes him an excellent resource for patients and doctors alike. If you're looking for an ablation doctor, you can visit rfamd.com, the premier global directory of ablation doctors.
🔷🔷🔷🔷
The Doctor Thyroid and RFAMD podcast with Philip James is listened to in 100+ countries. It is a preferred patient resource for information related to thyroid cancer, RFA, hypothyroidism, pathology, and radiation therapy.
Contact Philip at
philipjames@docthyroid.com
www.rfamd.com
www.docthyroid.com
About Dr. Bülent Çekiç Dr. Bülent Çekiç is a leading expert in thyroid thermal ablation, specifically microwave and radiofrequency ablation. He has treated over 3500 cases using these methods since 2013, and has published 8 articles on the topic in Pubmed.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Çekiç has also organized 14 workshops on thyroid thermal ablation in his own clinic and 7 workshops in various countries. These workshops have been attended by a total of 40 local and 70 international doctors.
Dr. Çekiç has also presented on thyroid thermal ablation at international interventional radiology congresses such as CCMA, CIRSE, TRD, TGRD, and PAIRS.
In recent years, he has also begun offering thyroid artery embolization as a non-surgical treatment option for Plonjuan goiter and diffuse goiter, and has treated nearly 70 cases using this method.
Dr. Bulent Cekic is currently working as a chief at the Antalya Resea -
Which Ablation is best for Treating Thyroid Nodules? RFA or Microwave? with Dr. Bülent Çekiç
Dr. Çekiç is well-known for not only treating patients but also training other doctors in the field of ablation.
#ablation #thyroid #thyroidcancer
@DoctorThyroid
Find an RFA doctor at www.rfamd.com
Thyroid nodules can cause discomfort, pain, and even serious health issues if left untreated. Fortunately, ablation therapy offers a non-invasive solution to treating these nodules. Two popular types of ablation are radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation. But which one is best for treating thyroid nodules?
To help answer this question, we sat down with Dr. Bülent Çekiç, an interventional radiologist from Turkey who has treated over 4,000 cases of thyroid ablation. Dr. Çekiç is well-known for not only treating patients but also training other doctors in the field of ablation.
Dr. Çekiç explained that both RFA and microwave ablation aim to achieve a similar goal: to raise the temperature of the nodule to between 60 and 100 Celsius. However, there are some key differences between the two techniques.
In RFA, the heat causes frictional and conductive heat, and the antenna used is thinner at 18 or 19 gauge. The machine automatically stops above 800 ohms to prevent carbonization, which can lead to a lower volume reduction rate. However, in selected patients, RFA can offer a slightly higher volume reduction rate.
Microwave ablation, on the other hand, doesn't use ground pads, so patients don't experience any electrical current passing through their bodies. This makes it a suitable option for patients with pacemakers, joint prostheses, or dental implants. Patients also typically experience less pain with microwave ablation, and the technique can be used on larger tissue volumes in the same amount of time.
Dr. Çekiç shared that he primarily uses microwave ablation for his patients, as it is faster and causes less pain, making it an appealing option for patients with large nodules. However, he stressed that the most important factor in determining which ablation technique to use is the experience and skill level of the operator.
In some cases, Dr. Çekiç has used both RFA and microwave ablation on the same patient. For example, if a patient has a large nodule with a hypervascular or bleeding component, he may use microwave ablation first to avoid thermal injury and then follow up with RFA to ensure complete ablation of the peripheral margins of the nodule.
Dr. Çekiç emphasized that when it comes to offering ablation therapy, the most important thing is the experience and skill level of the operator. He recommended that any doctors interested in offering ablation therapy should prioritize training and developing their skills before treating patients.
In conclusion, both RFA and microwave ablation are effective treatments for thyroid nodules. Ultimately, the best technique to use depends on the specific case and the experience and skill level of the operator. Patients should consult with an experienced ablation therapist to determine the best course of treatment for their individual needs.
🔷🔷🔷🔷
The Doctor Thyroid and RFAMD podcast with Philip James is listened to in 100+ countries. It is a preferred patient resource for information related to thyroid cancer, RFA, hypothyroidism, pathology, and radiation therapy.
Contact Philip at
philipjames@docthyroid.com
www.rfamd.com
www.docthyroid.com
About Dr. Bülent Çekiç Dr. Bülent Çekiç is a leading expert in thyroid thermal ablation, specifically microwave and radiofrequency ablation. He has treated over 3500 cases using these methods since 2013, and has published 8 articles on the topic in Pubmed.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Çekiç has also organized 14 workshops on thyroid thermal ablation in his own clinic and 7 workshops in various countries. These workshops have been attended by a total of 40 local and 70 international doctors.
Dr. Çekiç has also presented on thyroid thermal ablation at -
Thyroid Ablation: Patient Selection and Follow Up with Dr. Bülent Çekiç from Turkey
Dr. Bülent Çekiç has treated over 4000 thyroid ablation cases, and in some days treats as many as 28 patients.
Thyroid ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that has become an effective treatment option for patients with benign thyroid nodules. The procedure involves the use of thermal energy to destroy the thyroid tissue and shrink the nodule, ultimately relieving the patient of symptoms associated with the nodule.
However, not all thyroid nodules are suitable for ablation, and patient selection is crucial in determining the success of the procedure.
Dr. Bülent Çekiç is an Interventional Radiologist from Turkey who has treated over 4,000 cases of thyroid ablation in the past 7 years, making him an expert in the field. In this podcast, we will discuss the patient selection and follow-up after thyroid ablation with Dr. Çekiç.
Patient Selection
Dr. Çekiç emphasized that patient selection is vital in determining the success of thyroid ablation. The best candidates for thyroid ablation are nodules with spongy form echo structures, high liquid component, and intense peripheral or intranodal patterns of vascularity. Dr. Çekiç also uses shear elastography, an ultrasound method to measure the stiffness of the nodule, which is critical in determining the effectiveness of ablation. In his clinical practice, he found that nodules with a stiffness value under 30 kilopascals have a minimum 70 percent reduction rate.
The volume of the nodule is also an essential factor in determining whether the nodule is suitable for ablation. Nodules under ten centimeters are better candidates for ablation, while nodules between ten to fifteen centimeters may require a second session of treatment.
Cosmetic score is also an important factor in patient selection. Dr. Çekiç recommends selecting nodules with a high cosmetic score as most patients want to see the results after the procedure. Patients with nodules with low echogenicity, high microcalcifications, or stiffness (above 50 kilopascal) are not good candidates for ablation.
Follow Up
Follow-up after thyroid ablation is crucial in monitoring the patient's progress and identifying any potential complications. Dr. Çekiç recommends that patients undergo follow-up visits at three months, six months, and one year after the procedure.
During the follow-up visits, Dr. Çekiç evaluates the patient's symptoms, measures the nodule's size, and performs ultrasound imaging to monitor the nodule's characteristics. If the nodule's size has not decreased significantly, additional treatment may be necessary. In rare cases, patients may experience complications such as pain, hoarseness, or skin burns. Dr. Çekiç stressed the importance of monitoring patients for these complications and treating them accordingly.
Thyroid ablation is an effective treatment option for patients with benign or malignant thyroid nodules.
Patient selection is crucial in determining the success of the procedure, and nodules with spongy form echo structures, high liquid component, and intense peripheral or intranodal patterns of vascularity are the best candidates for ablation.
Follow-up visits are essential in monitoring the patient's progress and identifying any potential complications. Dr. Çekiç's experience in patient selection and follow-up has led to his success in treating over 4,000 cases of thyroid ablation.
About Dr. Bülent Çekiç Dr. Bülent Çekiç is a leading expert in thyroid thermal ablation, specifically microwave and radiofrequency ablation. He has treated over 3500 cases using these methods since 2013, and has published 8 articles on the topic in Pubmed.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Çekiç has also organized 14 workshops on thyroid thermal ablation in his own clinic and 7 workshops in various countries. These workshops have been attended by a total of 40 local and 70 international doctors.
Dr. Çekiç has also presented on thyroid thermal ablation at internation -
The First Doctor to Perform Microwave Ablation in Thailand
Thyroid nodules affect millions of people worldwide, and while most are benign, some can become cancerous and require surgery. However, a new treatment option has emerged, offering patients an alternative to surgery. Microwave ablation, a minimally invasive procedure that destroys abnormal tissue using thermal energy, is now available in Thailand, and it is changing the way thyroid nodules are treated.
Dr. Thanyawat (Dr. Max), a leading specialist in the field, is one of the experts performing this innovative procedure at the Police General Hospital in Bangkok. During the procedure, a small needle is inserted into the thyroid nodule using ultrasound guidance. The needle emits microwave energy that heats and destroys the nodule's abnormal tissue, while leaving the healthy tissue intact. The procedure is quick, lasting around 20 minutes, and is done under local anesthesia. The patient is awake throughout the procedure and can communicate with the doctor during the treatment.
Microwave ablation offers numerous benefits over traditional surgery. First and foremost, it is minimally invasive, meaning it avoids the risks and complications associated with surgery. Additionally, it is less painful and requires less recovery time than surgery. Patients also have a reduced risk of scarring and a lower chance of vocal cord injury, which can occur during surgery.
While microwave ablation is a new treatment option, it is not suitable for all thyroid nodules. Doctors will evaluate each patient's case to determine if they are a good candidate for the procedure. However, for those who are eligible, microwave ablation is a promising new treatment option.
With the arrival of microwave ablation in Thailand, patients with thyroid nodules have a new option for treatment without undergoing surgery. Dr. Thanyawat (Dr. Max) and his team at the Police General Hospital in Bangkok are leading the way in this innovative treatment, giving hope to patients who may have previously felt surgery was their only option.
Microwave ablation is a game-changing treatment option for patients with thyroid nodules; its minimally invasive nature, reduced recovery time, and lower risk of complications make it an attractive alternative to surgery. Thanks to Dr. Thanyawat (Dr. Max) and his team at the Police General Hospital in Bangkok, patients in Thailand now have access to this innovative treatment option.
About Dr. Thanyawat Sasanakietkul Dr. Thanyawat Sasanakietkul is a Surgical Oncologist with more than 20 years of professional experience. He specializes in Breast Surgery, Head & Neck Surgical Oncology. He is a member of the Thai Medical Council.
Facebook: ผ่าตัดไทรอยด์
About ECO Microwave ECO Microwave is actively involved in microwave,high-frequency and laser fields. Established in 2000, ECO is one of the largest medical device manufacturer integrated with research and development, production and marketing in China. Ever since its establishment, ECO has been working to deliver the most advanced medical technology and provide integrated solutions for healthcare industry all over the world.
As the pioneer in microwave ablation field, ECO is the first company to combine cooling circulation technology with microwave system in 2002, which has made a revolutionary breakthrough in the development of microwave ablation for tumor treatment. With more than 15 years’ research and development in microwave, ECO’s microwave ablation system has been widely used in a lot of hospitals both domestically and internationally.
Besides microwave ablation system, ECO’s product line also covers Varicose Veins Therapeutic Unit, Prostate Therapeutic Unit, Cool Plasma Electrosurgical Unit, Argon Electrosurgical Unit, Radiofrequency Therapeutic Unit, and Semi-conductor Laser Therapeutic System, etc.
ECO has been dedicated itself to the whole human health. We are doing everything we can to serve our customers with the leading-ed -
Thyroid Ablation Trends in the United States: An Interview with Dr. Suliburk and Dr. Grogan
Thyroid ablation techniques have been used for decades in other parts of the world, and now it is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. Two experts in this field, Dr. Suliburk and Dr. Grogan from Baylor St Luke's Medical Center in Houston, shared their knowledge and experience about this innovative treatment with interviewer Philip James.
Dr. Suliburk and Dr. Grogan are both full-time surgeons at Baylor College of Medicine, working at Baylor St Luke's Medical Center. They provide expert-level, high-volume care for patients with thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal diseases through their thyroid and parathyroid center. Their commitment to quality care is reflected in their development of patient-centered treatment plans that utilize innovative, minimally invasive therapies, whenever possible.
Thyroid ablation, specifically percutaneous thyroid RFA ablation or radiofrequency ablation, is a new and exciting technique used to treat thyroid diseases. Dr. Suliburk and Dr. Grogan offer this innovative treatment to patients who are properly selected for thyroid cancer defensive therapy, which is less than 1.5 centimeters, with definitive ultrasound imaging showing no involvement of any other lymph nodes, and is an isolated, solitary cancer, not multiple cancers throughout the thyroid.
When it comes to the role of an academic surgeon or a surgeon who works in a medical school, Dr. Suliburk and Dr. Grogan pointed out that it varies. They are both full-time clinical faculty who run a high-volume thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal practice. While they are surgeons, they advocate for saving the thyroid and offering every option available to preserve it. They are dedicated to bringing the state-of-the-art treatment options to their patients, whether that's surgical procedures or percutaneous image-guided procedures.
Dr. Suliburk and Dr. Grogan emphasized that they are in an era of shared decision-making when it comes to developing treatment plans for patients. They respect their patients' values and desires and offer customized treatment plans that include ablative, percutaneously ablative therapies for patients who are acceptable candidates. Traditionally, people have limited who is an acceptable candidate, but because they work at a state-of-the-art facility, they are always pushing the boundaries of where they can apply ablative therapies.
When it comes to the future of thyroid ablation, Dr. Suliburk and Dr. Grogan pointed out that insurance coverage is a significant issue. While they believe that insurance companies will eventually come around to covering thyroid ablation, it will likely take some time. In the meantime, they will continue to offer innovative treatment options to their patients and push the boundaries of what is possible in the field of thyroid ablation.
In conclusion, thyroid ablation is a new and exciting technique that offers patients innovative, minimally invasive treatment options. Dr. Suliburk and Dr. Grogan are at the forefront of this field, offering their patients the most advanced technical procedures and state-of-the-art treatment options. They advocate for shared decision-making and customized treatment plans that include ablative percutaneously ablative therapies for patients who are acceptable candidates. While insurance coverage remains a significant issue, they are confident that, eventually, insurance companies will recognize the value of thyroid ablation and cover it for their patients.
About Dr. James W. Suliburk Dr. James Suliburk is a board-certified surgeon specializing in the treatment of tumors of the thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal gland in Houston and the surrounding area (Bryan-College Station, Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi and Beaumont). As a fellowship-trained endocrine surgeon, he specializes in the care of patients with thyroid nodules, goiter, Graves’ disease, thyroid cancer, hyperparathyroidism, adrenal masses, pheochromocytoma, Cushing’s, and Conn’s d