Thyroidologist Todd W. Frieze, MD, an experienced endocrine neoplasia specialist, joined the Duke thyroid team in January 2023 bringing more than two decades of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disorders.
 
As medical leader for the thyroid neoplasia program, Frieze plans to direct two fine needle aspiration (FNA) clinics each week while working closely with Duke Cancer Institute specialists. His contributions are part of a strategic initiative to expand the thyroid treatment program to support the Duke Cancer Institute's Endocrine Neoplasia Program. Frieze also plans to offer Radio-Frequency Ablation (RFA) as a non-surgical therapeutic option for certain types of thyroid neoplasia.
 
As the senior, board-certified endocrinologist focusing on thyroid neoplasia, Frieze says he “will be running point” on diagnostic procedures, referrals, and follow-up care while emphasizing patient convenience. “I will be the medical driver of our one-stop clinic that will streamline and improve our diagnostic and follow-up care,” Frieze says. “Our goal is to create a one-stop endocrine neoplasia center to provide prompt, accurate diagnosis and guide patients about their choices regarding surgical or non-surgical options.”
 
Frieze has performed more than 20,000 ultrasounds as well as 5,600 FNAs or biopsies. Although his primary emphasis will be on thyroid conditions, he also has expertise in parathyroid, adrenal, and pituitary neoplasia.

The Duke thyroid surgical program is one of the highest-volume surgical programs in the nation and continues to produce successful outcomes. Thyroid neoplasia has been treated primarily by surgery, Frieze notes, adding that the surgeons at Duke’s high-volume program report better outcomes than centers with low-volume neoplasia surgical programs. “The scientific data are clear on surgical volume and successful surgical treatment of thyroid neoplasia,” Frieze adds.
 
He will collaborate with experienced thyroid surgeons weekly in the Duke Cancer Center in Durham. “The dual approach of having an experienced thyroidologist working in the same clinic the same day with the thyroid surgeons will be very beneficial for our patients,” Frieze says. “We can see them during the same visit.”
 
In addition to experienced thyroid surgeons, Frieze says the team of specialists will include nuclear medicine, pathology, radiation oncology, and radiology.  He looks forward to expanding the team in summer 2023 with the addition of a medical oncologist specializing in thyroid cancers. For referring providers, Frieze says the one of the most important advantages offered by the Duke approach is the coordination of care.
 
“We will all be on the same page collaborating on the same cases bringing a great deal of experience to the most complex cases.”