Robert A. Lee, M.D.

Location

SUMMARY

Robert A. Lee, M.D., researches the percutaneous treatment of select benign and malignant processes within the neck using alcohol ablation techniques. These techniques have been developed and refined at Mayo Clinic for over 30 years. In some cases, these outpatient procedures are an alternative to surgery and can be done with local anesthesia. The most common alcohol ablation procedure done in the neck is the ablation of recurrent papillary thyroid cancer after one or more surgeries. Alcohol ablation also may be effective in treating recurrent hyperparathyroidism due to adenomas, often in the setting of a multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome. Finally, alcohol ablation is effective in treating large thyroid cysts causing compression symptoms.

Focus areas

Dr. Lee focuses on conditions in the neck that may be effectively treated with outpatient alcohol ablation, including:

• Recurrent papillary thyroid cancer. Some individuals with a history of papillary thyroid cancer may develop recurrent cancer in the thyroid bed or in neck lymph nodes after one or more surgeries. Dr. Lee studies the use of outpatient percutaneous alcohol injections as an effective alternative to additional surgery for people with small recurrences.
• Recurrent hyperparathyroidism. He also studies alcohol ablation as an alternative to additional surgery for people with recurrent adenomatous hyperparathyroidism.
• Benign thyroid cysts. Some large benign thyroid cysts can cause compressive symptoms and need treatment. Dr. Lee is finding ways to use alcohol ablation as another way to manage this condition.

Significance to patient care

Percutaneous alcohol ablation of select conditions in the neck might be an alternative to surgery in some individuals. Alcohol ablation is an outpatient procedure done with local anesthesia and usually takes less than one hour. The individual can usually resume a daily routine immediately.