title: Development of a multidisciplinary, multicampus subspecialty practice in endocrine cancers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Relative to more abundant neoplasms, endocrine cancers have been historically neglected, yet their incidence is increasing. We therefore sought to build interest in endocrine cancers, improve physician experience, and develop innovative approaches to treating patients with these neoplasms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2005 and 2010, we developed a multidisciplinary Endocrine Malignancies Disease Oriented Group involving all three Mayo Clinic campuses (Rochester, MN; Jacksonville, FL; and Scottsdale, AZ). In response to higher demand at the Rochester campus, we sought to develop a Subspecialty Tumor Group and an Endocrine Malignancies Tumor Clinic within the Division of Medical Oncology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intended groups were successfully formed. We experienced difficulty in integration of the Mayo Scottsdale campus resulting from local uncertainty as to whether patient volumes would be sufficient to sustain the effort at that campus and difficulty in developing enthusiasm among clinicians otherwise engaged in a busy clinical practice. But these obstacles were ultimately overcome. In addition, with respect to the newly formed medical oncology subspecialty endocrine malignancies group, appointment volumes quadrupled within the first year and increased seven times within two years. The number of active therapeutic endocrine malignancies clinical trials also increased from one in 2005 to five in 2009, with all three Mayo campuses participating.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The development of subspecialty tumor groups for uncommon malignancies represents an effective approach to building experience, increasing patient volumes and referrals, and fostering development of increased therapeutic options and clinical trials for patients afflicted with otherwise historically neglected cancers.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL; Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ.
authors.forename: Keith C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Bible
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Smallridge
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: Julian R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Molina
authors.forename: Vera J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Suman
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Copland
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rubin
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Menefee
authors.forename: Kostandinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sideras
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Maples
authors.forename: Bryan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: McIver
authors.forename: Vahab
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fatourechi
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hay
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Foote
authors.forename: Yolanda I
authors.initials: YI
authors.lastname: Garces
authors.forename: Jan L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Kasperbauer
authors.forename: Geoffrey B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Clive S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.forename: Melanie L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sebo
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lloyd
authors.forename: Norman L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Eberhardt
authors.forename: Honey V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Reddi
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Casler
authors.forename: Nina J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Karlin
authors.forename: Sydney A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Westphal
authors.forename: Ronald L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: Jan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Buckner
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Erlichman