Endocrine cancer encompasses tumours in any of the hormone-secreting glands of the body, including the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands, and pancreas. Because these glands are located in different parts of the body and produce hormones that regulate a wide variety of bodily functions, endocrine cancers can have wide-ranging effects. Endocrine surgery embodies the art and the science of the diagnosis, surgery and laboratory investigation of cancers of the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and pancreatic glands. Understanding the biology of such cancers allows diagnostic tests and adjuvant treatments to be developed to improve patient survival.

World Class Research

For the first time in Australia, we have a large endocrine research group assembled.

The Kolling Institute of Medical Research Cancer Genetics Laboratory is a world-class endocrine research facility located in the Kolling Building, at the Royal North Shore Hospital. The mission is to apply cutting edge science to examining actual patient cancers that have been removed by surgeons in the University of Sydney Endocrine Surgery unit. Once molecular markers of disease have been identified these are then tested in cell lines and animal models to try to develop diagnostic and therapeutic targets for patient treatment. The aim is the development of endocrinology research which moves seamlessly from “bedside to benchtop and back to the bedside again.”

This is the only endocrine research facility in the country where there is a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and scientists focused on progressing translational endocrine research in endocrine cancers. It is a unique arrangement developed from the coalescence of leadership in Endocrinology, Endocrine Surgery, and Clinician Scientists.

One research team is led by Professor Stan Sidhu, a leading academic surgeon with an interest in endocrine cancer. He is also a surgeon at the Royal North Shore and North Shore Private Hospitals campus. He spends his non-clinical time with the team overseeing the research.

“Funds generated from the community have been a massive aid in sustaining our research efforts” explains Prof Stan Sidhu. “The community fails to realise that the bulk of research funds flows to the more common cancers e.g. breast, prostate, melanoma etc. However, patients with thyroid cancer represent 3% of all cancers and less than 3% of cancer funding.

“Endocrine cancers tend to affect younger patients in the prime of their lives and therefore have a huge personal and community impact.

“Endocrine cancers tend to affect younger patients in the prime of their lives and therefore have a huge personal and community impact. We are extremely grateful for the community support we have received and strive to focus our research in areas, which we feel will obtain meaningful results for patient care. As a clinician and scientist, I am in a unique position of having a duality of perspective that allows for insights that may be missed by either clinician or scientist alone.”

The Way Forward

We are currently experiencing a biotechnology explosion and the scene is set for major developments in this area of endocrine research. This will only eventuate if we have ongoing community support, and your donation is desperately needed and appreciated.

Support This Area of Endocrine Research

Kolling Foundation is a registered charity. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Tell your story: Click here

Host a fundraising event: www.kolling.com.au/fundraise

Donate online at: www.kolling.com.au/donate

Become a partner or sponsor: www.kolling.com.au/partner

Leave a bequest: www.kolling.com.au/bequest

Donations can also be banked via EFT:

Account Name: Endocrine Cancer Surgery Research

BSB: 032297 | Account Number: 233863

For more information: contact Kolling Foundation