title: The surgeon as a prognostic factor in endocrine surgical diseases.
abstract: As with all subspecialties, the endocrine surgeon offers more than just improved technical expertise in the treatment of endocrine surgical disease. An understanding of the disease, and an ability to interpret investigations and surgically intervene with minimal morbidity allow for better patient care. Outcomes of endocrine surgical diseases are measured by the success of the operation at relieving the endocrinopathy and the ability of the surgeon to find the tumor, while at the same time minimizing the postoperative morbidity. Each of these factors has been considered when assessing the role of specialized expertise in endocrine surgical disease. The recurrence and survival data for these tumors, however, are not forthcoming and, therefore, the limitations of the existing literature must be acknowledged.
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Pasieka
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000601:surgery*; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000601:surgery*; D016105:Parathyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D010819:Physician's Role; D011379:Prognosis; D013038:Specialization; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D016896:Treatment Outcome