Gianluca Selvaggi‘s Remarkable Story: Discovering and Defeating Thyroid Cancer Through Ablation
Discovering and Defeating Thyroid Cancer Through Ablation
In an intriguing episode of the Doctor Thyroid and RFAMD podcasts, hosted by Philip James, we get to hear an inspiring story from a man named Gianluca Selvaggi. His experience with thyroid cancer and the subsequent successful treatment with ablation serves as a beacon of hope for those facing similar diagnoses.
The Unusual Discovery
Selvaggi’s story is unique because he discovered his cancer in an unconventional manner – it was by sheer accident while “playing around” with ultrasound. During a visit to Dr. Roberto Valcavi‘s office to share some technology related to thyroid cancer, Dr. Valcavi performed a casual ultrasound check on Selvaggi’s neck. To their surprise, they discovered a small carcinoma, confirming the presence of papillary thyroid cancer.
Selvaggi described his initial reaction to the diagnosis as one of worry, which is not uncommon when confronted with the word ‘cancer’. However, Dr. Valcavi’s comforting approach and clear treatment pathway eased his anxieties.
Treatment with Ablation
Fast forward 20 days, Selvaggi underwent a radiofrequency ablation procedure – a non-surgical treatment that uses heat to destroy the cancer cells. The entire treatment took around 40-45 minutes, a significantly shorter period compared to conventional surgical methods. This was in May, and by the time Selvaggi joined the podcast in June, he reported feeling perfectly fine.
Selvaggi shared that he was able to resume his normal life within just a few days of treatment. He was back to playing football and mountain biking, emphasizing the non-invasive nature and swift recovery associated with ablation treatment.
Cancer-Free and Grateful
A month after treatment, Selvaggi joyfully reported being cancer-free. His experience speaks volumes about the effectiveness of ablation treatment for thyroid cancer, especially considering that he did not have to undergo surgery. He praised Dr. Valcavi for his skill and reassurance throughout the process, stating, “My neck is perfect.”
When asked what he would tell other patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer, Selvaggi urged trust in the treating clinicians and the technology at hand. His story demonstrates the immense potential of minimally invasive treatments like ablation, showing they can successfully cure cancer without causing significant disruption to the patient’s life.
Gianluca Selvaggi’s story is a powerful testament to modern medical advancements. Thanks to his chance ultrasound and the skilled work of Dr. Roberto Valcavi, Selvaggi was able to effectively treat his thyroid cancer, resuming his normal life just days after treatment. His tale underscores the importance of having reliable clinicians and trusting in new technologies that have the potential to revolutionize patient outcomes.
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About Philip James
In 2013, his laryngeal nerve was severed, shoulder nerve damaged, parathyroids ruined, and residual cancer left behind — all for a 1 cm thyroid nodule.
Later, a vocal cord implant was inserted to help him speak.
The word he uses to describe his work as patient advocate is, ‘tonglen’. Or, using his pain and hardship to help others.
About RFAMD
RFAMD is solely dedicated to helping healthcare organizations build deeper, enduring relationships with patients. Our team brings together expertise and insights to create enterprise-wide solutions that transform the patient experience.
With years of experience in understanding the patient’s journey, we can help healthcare organizations thrive in today’s patient-centered healthcare market. Our range of solutions includes smart, measurable patient acquisition programs, physician marketing touch-points that drive referrals into priority service lines, and credible, easy-to-digest content at the point of care and beyond, in patients’ preferred formats and languages.
We also provide brand strategies that increase patient preference and physician referrals and differentiate your brand in the market through reputation-building tools.
Our commitment is to enable providers and payers to deliver personalized care by activating, educating, and motivating patients to prioritize their health every day. As your strategic partner, we combine our unique capabilities and industry expertise to better engage patients at every step of their health journey.
Our goal is to help healthcare organizations achieve stronger patient and member outcomes, sustained improvements in brand reputation, measurable gains in market share, and increased revenue.
