Who Treats Endocrine Tumors? Your Care Team Explained

Because endocrine tumors can affect both your hormone levels and other organs, they are best managed by a diverse group of specialists working together. This group of experts is known as a multidisciplinary care team (MDT). Research shows that having a dedicated team of specialists who focus on your specific type of tumor improves the quality of your care, ensures your treatment aligns with the latest clinical guidelines, and even improves survival rates ^[1][2][3].

Key Specialists on Your Care Team

Managing an endocrine tumor requires a highly specific mix of medical expertise. Depending on the location and behavior of your tumor, your core team will likely include:

• Endocrinologist: A doctor who specializes in hormones and glands. Many endocrine tumors are “functional,” meaning they overproduce hormones that cause symptoms throughout your body. Your endocrinologist will monitor these levels and manage symptoms. If your tumor is “non-functional” (not producing excess hormones), an endocrinologist may still be involved to monitor the overall health of your endocrine system, especially if surgery affects your gland function.
• Surgical Oncologist: A surgeon with advanced training in removing tumors. Because endocrine glands can be delicate and deeply located, it is important to have a surgeon with specific expertise in the anatomy where your tumor is located ^[4][5].
• Medical Oncologist: A doctor who specializes in treating cancer with systemic therapies, which are medications that travel throughout the body. They oversee treatments like chemotherapy, targeted therapies, or immunotherapies if needed.
• Nuclear Medicine Specialist: A doctor who specializes in using radioactive substances for diagnosis and treatment. For a specific type of endocrine tumor known as a neuroendocrine tumor (NET), these specialists are essential for conducting precise imaging tests (such as DOTATATE PET scans) and administering Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT). PRRT is a targeted radiation treatment designed specifically for these tumors, and specialized multidisciplinary teams play a crucial role in coordinating this therapy ^[6][7].
• Pathologists and Radiologists: Pathologists analyze your biopsy samples to determine how the tumor is behaving, while radiologists interpret your imaging scans.
• Supportive Care Specialists: Your team may also include an Oncology Nurse Navigator to help coordinate your appointments and communicate between different doctors, as well as a Dietitian who can help manage symptoms like diarrhea that can occur with certain functional tumors.

The Importance of a Tumor Board

When building your care team, you should look for a treatment center that utilizes a multidisciplinary tumor board (MTB). A tumor board is a regular meeting where your team of specialists gathers to review your specific case.

During these meetings, the team reviews your scans and test results together to reach a consensus on the best treatment plan ^[8][9]. This collaborative approach ensures that all aspects of your health are considered and that you have access to all available treatment options ^[10][11].

Seeking Care at a Specialized Center

Because endocrine and neuroendocrine tumors are relatively rare, not all hospitals see enough cases to have dedicated experts on staff. Receiving care at a specialized center with an established multidisciplinary team is associated with better overall outcomes and reduces the risk of delayed or suboptimal management ^[12][13][14].

Finding a specialized center can feel overwhelming, but patient advocacy organizations, such as the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (NETRF), often provide directories of experienced treatment centers. Even if you cannot receive all your day-to-day care at a major specialized center, having an expert from one of these centers consult with your local doctors can make a significant difference in your treatment plan.