Colleen Veloski, MD, FACE, ECNU

As an endocrinologist specializing in thyroid and parathyroid disorders, and malignancy related endocrine problems, my expertise meets the needs of a broad range of patients who seek or have received treatment at Fox Chase Cancer Center.

Early in my career, I developed an interest in the diagnosis and management of thyroid cancer. While thyroid nodules are very common, only 5-10% of all thyroid nodules are malignant. Fine needle aspiration biopsy can differentiate malignant nodules from benign nodule with a high degree of accuracy, but it is not possible or advisable to biopsy the thousands of benign thyroid nodules discovered each year. In the last 5-10 years, research in the area of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer has shown that ultrasonographic characteristics combined with other risk stratification factors can direct us to biopsy only those nodules with a higher risk of clinically significant malignancy. This results in fewer diagnostic procedures and unnecessary surgeries. As a result, I have developed my skills in the areas of thyroid ultrasound and ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy in order to comprehensively manage and follow thyroid nodules.  I am certified in neck ultrasound by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.

Patients who are ultimately diagnosed with thyroid cancer will be managed by our multidisciplinary treatment team. Most of these patients require surgery, and perhaps, radioiodine treatment, that result in lifelong hypothyroidism. As a specialized endocrinologist, I can manage the initial cancer treatment, ongoing monitoring for thyroid cancer recurrence, and thyroid hormone replacement therapy for thyroid cancer patients. I also treat patients who develop hypoparathyroidism that can rarely occur following any head or neck surgery.  We also evaluate and treat patients with hyperparathyroidism due to parathyroid tumors.

I work with other Fox Chase Cancer Center surgeons and oncologists to manage patients with other endocrine related tumors such as adrenal, pituitary, and neuroendocrine tumors.  We monitor and treat patients with genetic tumor syndromes affecting the endocrine organs such as the multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes, MEN1 and MEN2.  When patients with other malignancies develop endocrine problems related to their cancer treatment, they can receive evaluation and treatment at Fox Chase allowing for better coordination of care. I believe that patients receive the best care when all of the caregivers communicate among each other and, most importantly, to the patients. At Fox Chase, our thyroid cancer team includes specialists from endocrinology, medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, pathology, and nuclear medicine. Patients with other endocrine malignancies or endocrine problems related to malignancy are also managed by a multidisciplinary team.  Together along with our dedicated, experienced, compassionate support staff, we develop and deliver a comprehensive treatment plan for our patients.