Family history in the management of endocrine diseases Implications in thyroid – parathyroid surgery There are at least 25 distinct familial syndromes affecting endocrine organs that may lead to an operation at some point in that patient’s life. Thyroid diseases, hyperparathyroidism, adrenal tumors and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors all have the possibility to be linked to some form of heritable disorder. From a practical (clinical) point of view, the knowledge of these genetic (familial) syndromes is very important, since may dictate: -indication for surgery (sometimes prophylactic, i.e. before the development of the disease) -type and extent of surgical procedure -type, amount and duration of follow-up -type/amount of screening necessary for an individual patient or an entire family Without a thorough and accurate family history, for many surgical endocrinopathies, a patient has not been completely worked up or cared for appropriately. A family history that i...