Oncologic Endocrinology Fellowship

On behalf of the faculty in the Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UT MD Anderson, we invite you to explore our Oncologic Endocrinology Fellowship Program. This program is the first of its kind in the nation dedicated to advancing the clinical and research training of physicians seeking specialization in the evaluation and management of endocrine malignancies, including use of systemic therapies and endocrine sequelae of cancer therapy. 

Endocrine tumors are relatively common; however, cancers of the endocrine system are rare. Thyroid carcinoma dominates by incidence and accounts for the majority of deaths related to endocrine malignancies. Historically, standard treatment approaches were limited primarily to surgical resection of the primary tumor, followed by radioactive iodine in the case of differentiated thyroid carcinoma, and subsequent surgeries or focal therapies for recurrent or metastatic disease. Until recently, few effective systemic treatment options were available for patients with advanced, metastatic disease. Over the past several decades, however, substantial advances in the understanding of the molecular and pathogenic drivers of endocrine cancers have led to the development of targeted pharmaceutical therapies evaluated in numerous clinical trials. Since the FDA approval of the vandetanib, a multikinase inhibitor, in 2011 for advanced and progressive medullary thyroid carcinoma, more than 10 additional agents have been approved for the treatment of thyroid cancer and malignant pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma.  

In parallel, many newer cancer therapies are associated with distinct endocrine adverse effects, including hypophysitis, thyroiditis and adrenal insufficiency with immune checkpoint inhibitors; insulin-dependent diabetes; hypothyroidism with antiangiogenic agents; and hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia with mTOR inhibitors. These complications warrant lifelong management and warrant further investigation into causative mechanisms and their relationship to oncologic treatment and survivorship outcomes. Notably, appropriate management of established endocrine complications of cancer therapy (e.g. steroid-induced diabetes, osteoporosis, hypogonadism) has been shown to reduce morbidity and improve quality of life among cancer survivors.  

Recognizing the growing need for specialized training beyond that provided by standard endocrinology or oncology fellowship programs, we established a non-accredited, one-year advanced Oncologic Endocrine Fellowship in 2010. The program offers comprehensive training focused on the evaluation and management of endocrine neoplasias in both outpatient and inpatient settings. The Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders at UT MD Anderson provides the ideal environment for this training. Our faculty are nationally and internationally recognized leaders in oncologic endocrinology, with a longstanding history of excellence in basic, translational and clinical research, including leadership in pivotal clinical trials that have shaped current practice guidelines. Faculty within the department evaluate, manage, and study a broad spectrum of endocrine tumors and malignancies involving the thyroid, adrenals, parathyroid, pituitary and pancreas, as well as hereditary endocrine syndromes and endocrine consequences of cancer care. 

The Endocrine Center at UT MD Anderson is a high-volume, multidisciplinary referral center for patients with advanced endocrine neoplasia and supports a robust clinical trials portfolio. The center maintains long-standing collaborative relationships with colleagues in head and neck surgery, surgical endocrinology, medical oncology, genetics, radiology and pathology – collaborations that continue throughout our professional lives. 

Our faculty and fellowship program are committed to training high-caliber, motivated, and innovative physicians who seek to advance the growing and complex discipline of oncologic endocrinology. We take great pride in the accomplishments of our graduates. We look forward to learning about your professional goals as we understand how our program can support your career development. 

Sincerely,

Mimi I. Hu, M.D.
mhu@mdanderson.org

Alanoud Alaasmi, M.D., completed her Internal Medicine residency training at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where she also served as a trainee representative within the Graduate Medical Education office, advocating for trainee education and professional development initiatives. She subsequently completed her Endocrinology Fellowship at University of Missouri–Columbia and served as Chief Fellow during her second year.

Dr. Alaasmi has received several awards recognizing her research contributions, including the Young Investigator Award from Women in Endocrinology, the Outstanding Abstract Award from the Endocrine Society, and the Outstanding Abstract Award from the American Thyroid Association.

She is excited to join our training program and looks forward to gaining experience in the care of patients with advanced endocrine neoplasia. Her interests include precision medicine approaches aimed at improving outcomes for patients with advanced thyroid cancer.