"In Japan, there are many globally renowned specialized thyroid hospitals, but unfortunately, that is not the case here in Korea. My goal is to establish the first specialized hospitals in South Korea dedicated to thyroid cancer and head and neck cancer. Through this, I aim to create a high-level medical system where patients can easily access diagnosis and treatment in these fields."

Jeong Hun Hah, MD, PhD took steps to fulfill his aspirations by transforming ThanQ Seoul Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic into ThanQ Seoul Center for Thyroid-Head and Neck Surgery & Medicine and expanding the hospital. This expansion was completed last December.

The previous ThanQ Seoul Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic performed over 1,000 thyroid-head and neck surgeries annually, including cases of thyroid cancer and oral cavity, larynx, and throat cancers.

As the number of surgeries increased, Dr. Hah felt the need to supplement pathology and radiology for the convenience of patients. In addition, the diagnosis and postoperative management of thyroid cancer required the expertise of endocrinologists. This led to the decision to expand the hospital and recruit specialists.

I had the opportunity to engage in a more detailed conversation with him, discussing various aspects of the hospital's expansion and the importance of providing comprehensive care to the patients.

What changes have taken place since the hospital expanded?

Since the hospital's expansion, several changes have taken place. Firstly, the hospital's name has been changed to ThanQ Seoul Center for Thyroid-Head and Neck Surgery & Medicine. Additionally, the radiology and pathology departments were added in March. This expansion enables the hospital to provide comprehensive care from diagnosis, including various examinations and imaging techniques, to surgery and postoperative management.

With the hospital's expansion, there has been an increase in the number of specialists and hospital beds, allowing for a greater number of surgeries compared to before. Previously, the hospital outsourced the pathologic examination of tissue samples, but now we conduct the tests in-house, resulting in quicker results. The results of preoperative cytological examinations can be obtained either on the same day or the following day, while postoperative results are typically available within approximately 3 to 4 days.

ThanQ Seoul Center for Thyroid-Head and Neck Surgery & Medicine focuses on the treatment of thyroid cancer and head and neck cancer. The presence of an in-house pathology department is crucial for accurately and promptly diagnosing both types of cancers.

Tell me about thyroid cancer and head and neck cancer, which are the main treatment areas in your hospital

Unlike other types of cancer, thyroid cancer doesn't always necessitate immediate surgery after diagnosis. Therefore, at ThanQ Seoul Center, our focus is on providing optimal and personalized treatment options tailored to each individual patient's needs. On the other hand, early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial for improving the prognosis of head and neck cancer. Hence, our aim at ThanQ Seoul Center is to expedite the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer as much as possible.

You mentioned that not all thyroid cancer patients undergo surgery. What do the latest guidelines say?

According to the latest guidelines, not all thyroid cancer patients require surgery. Active surveillance without surgery is recommended in specific cases. The American Thyroid Association and the Korean Thyroid Association have revised their guidelines in 2015 and 2016, leading to changes in treatment approaches. For instance, for papillary carcinoma, the most common type of thyroid cancer, if the tumor size is less than 1 cm, no additional tests are recommended, and active surveillance is advised. According to a recent guideline, for the next most common type, follicular carcinoma, which poses challenges in diagnosis, surgery is recommended when the tumor size reaches 2 cm.

If you have specific skills and expertise in the field of thyroid cancer and head and neck cancer, what are they?

My expertise lies in my 12 years of experience as a professor at Seoul National University Hospital, during which I have performed 6,000 surgeries for various cases of thyroid cancer and head and neck cancer. Based on this extensive experience, now I provide highly skilled medical treatment and surgery, offering comprehensive care to patients throughout the entire surgical process.

Head and neck cancer is known to be mainly associated with smoking. What is the actual risk of developing this cancer?

Head and neck cancer refers to cancers in the head and neck region, excluding the brain, eyes, and thyroid gland. Representative types include oral cancer, laryngeal cancer, hypopharyngeal cancer, tonsil cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, and salivary gland cancer. While laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers are commonly associated with smoking, especially when combined with alcohol consumption, the causes of other types of head and neck cancer are often unknown.

One crucial point to remember about thyroid and head and neck cancer?

It's essential to remember that thyroid cancer and head and neck cancer are distinct in nature and should be discussed separately. For thyroid cancer, there is controversy surrounding its diagnosis and treatment. While some argue against thyroid cancer screening altogether, I believe in the importance of screening while avoiding unnecessary surgeries. Neglecting the condition without screening can lead to a more severe state where treatment itself may become impossible. Therefore, screening is recommended, but making precise decisions based on the guidelines is crucial.

Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are highly beneficial for head and neck cancer. Since this type of cancer affects vital structures related to appearance, speech, swallowing, and breathing, it can lead to functional impairments and cosmetic issues due to the cancer itself or the treatment methods such as surgery and radiotherapy. However, detecting and diagnosing head and neck cancer early can be challenging due to its rarity and nonspecific symptoms. Seeking medical care from an otolaryngologist or a head and neck surgeon, especially at a specialized head and neck cancer clinic, is crucial if any abnormalities are noticed.

Reported by Hoonyoung Ahn|Translated by Jini Jung 다른기사 보기