Endocrine & Neuroendocrine Surgery
Cutting-Edge Research

Dr. Ted
Michelakos

Harvard-trained surgeon. Researcher in oncology. Dedicated to bringing precision, compassion, and scholarship to every patient encounter.

For Patients Tools for Clinicians
MGH/Harvard
Residency & Research Fellowship
UChicago
Endocrine Surgery Fellowship
Rush
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Dr. Theodoros Michelakos
Patients Conditions, scarless ablation, and what to expect → Referring Providers Prompt scheduling, in-clinic ultrasound and FNA → Researchers Publications, interests, and collaboration → Residents Rotation, OR preferences, and mentorship →
About

Biography

Dr. Theodoros Michelakos is an Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Surgical Oncology at Rush Medical College, specializing in surgery of the thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands, and in neuroendocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas.

He earned his MD from the University of Athens, graduating magna cum laude and first in his class, completed his general surgery residency at Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School, and trained in endocrine and neuroendocrine surgery at the University of Chicago. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery.

His research focuses on cancer immunology and new technologies in medicine, with over 40 peer-reviewed papers in journals including Annals of Surgery, JAMA Oncology, and Clinical Cancer Research. He serves on several editorial boards and has received Resident Teaching Awards from Harvard Medical School and Tufts Medical School.

Credentials & Affiliations

Current PositionAssistant Professor, Dept. of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology - Rush Medical College

Clinical FellowshipEndocrine & Neuroendocrine Surgery - University of Chicago

Research FellowshipSurgical Oncology & Cancer Immunology - Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School

ResidencyGeneral Surgery - Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School

MDUniversity of Athens School of Health Sciences (magna cum laude, ranked 1st)

Board CertifiedAmerican Board of Surgery

H-index24 · i10-index: 36 · 2,800+ citations

For Patients

Conditions We Treat

Thyroid Nodules

Most nodules are benign. Ultrasound and biopsy determine which need surgery — and the least invasive approach when they do.

Thyroid Cancer

Surgery for papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic cancers, individualized from lobectomy to total thyroidectomy with neck dissection.

Graves' Disease

For patients who have not responded to medication or radioactive iodine — or who want a definitive option — total thyroidectomy offers a durable cure.

Parathyroid Lesions & Hyperparathyroidism

Hyperparathyroidism raises calcium and affects bones, kidneys, and energy. Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy is curative in the vast majority of cases.

Adrenal Tumors

Functional and non-functional tumors — including Cushing's, Conn's, and pheochromocytoma — removed laparoscopically in most cases, with rapid recovery.

Neuroendocrine Tumors

Hormone-producing tumors, most commonly of the GI tract and pancreas. Surgical management from resection to debulking for metastatic disease.

Scarless Treatment of Thyroid Nodules

Not every thyroid nodule requires surgery. For select benign nodules, image-guided ablation techniques offer a highly effective, outpatient alternative that leaves no scar and requires no general anesthesia.

RFA
Radiofrequency Ablation

Heat-based nodule reduction

A thin electrode is guided into the nodule under real-time ultrasound. Radiofrequency energy destroys nodule tissue from within; the nodule shrinks over several months while the surrounding thyroid is preserved.

  • ✓ Outpatient procedure
  • ✓ No incision, no general anesthesia, no scar
  • ✓ Thyroid function preserved
  • ✓ Effective for solid and mixed-composition nodules
Request a consultation →
ETA
Ethanol Ablation

Sclerotherapy for cystic nodules

Cystic nodules usually recur after simple aspiration. Ultrasound-guided ethanol scleroses the cyst wall and prevents re-accumulation — often in a single session.

  • ✓ Highly effective for recurrent cystic nodules
  • ✓ Office-based, no incision required
  • ✓ Typically one or two sessions
  • ✓ Strong safety record
Request a consultation →

What to Expect

Before Surgery
  • 01 Consultation. A thorough review of your imaging, labs, and history, a clear discussion of your options, and time for every question.
  • 02 Pre-operative workup. Any additional labs, imaging, or clearance you need — our team guides you through exactly what and when.
  • 03 Day of surgery. Most procedures take place at Rush University Medical Center. Thyroid and parathyroid operations typically take 1–3 hours.
After Surgery
  • 01 Recovery. Most thyroid and parathyroid patients go home the same day or after one night; adrenal surgery typically requires 1–2 nights. Pain is usually well-controlled with oral medications.
  • 02 Monitoring. Calcium and hormone levels are checked as needed, with clear discharge instructions and a direct line for any concerns.
  • 03 Follow-up. You are seen within 2 weeks. Long-term surveillance with endocrinology, oncology, or both is coordinated based on your diagnosis.
Patient Resource

Prehabilitation Exercise Program

A guided exercise program for patients preparing for neck surgery, developed with Rush Occupational Therapy. Eleven illustrated exercises, about 15 minutes, done at home at your own pace.

Begin Exercises →

Schedule an Appointment

To schedule a new patient appointment or for referrals and general inquiries, contact Dr. Michelakos's office directly or book through Rush's online portal.

(312) 942-5500
[email protected]
Clinic Locations
Rush University Medical Center - Chicago1725 W Harrison St, Professional Building, Suite 818, Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 942-5500 · Fax: (312) 563-2080
Rush Oak Lawn5851 W 95th St, Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Phone: (708) 660-2364
RUSH MD Anderson Cancer Center at Rush Lisle2455 Corporate W Dr, Lisle, IL 60532
Phone: (312) 942-5000 · Fax: (312) 942-5863
Book Appointment at Rush →
For Referring Providers

Dr. Michelakos is always available for patients with thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, or neuroendocrine conditions. He offers in-clinic thyroid ultrasound and FNA with reflex molecular testing, typically in a single visit. He prioritizes prompt scheduling across RUMC Main Campus, Rush Lisle, and Rush Oak Lawn. Please call (312) 942-5500 or email [email protected] to coordinate a timely consultation.

Scholarship

Research & Publications

  • 2025
    Evaluating the role of postoperative long-acting somatostatin analogue therapy in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors undergoing surgical debulking
    AAES Annual Meeting 2025 — Oral Presentation
  • 2024
    Interplay between B7-H3 and HLA class I in the clinical course of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
    Cancer Letters → DOI
  • 2023
    Association of Tumor Cell Metabolic Subtype and Immune Response with the Clinical Course of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
    Oncologist → DOI
View All Publications →

Research Interests

Endocrine Surgery Surgical Oncology Cancer Immunology Tumor Microenvironment Neuroendocrine Tumors New Technologies in Medicine Human-Machine Interface
For Collaborators

Dr. Michelakos welcomes inquiries from researchers, clinicians, and industry partners.

24
H-index
2,800+
Citations
Google Scholar Profile
Ephemerals

Observations & Reflections

Thoughts from the operating room, the laboratory, and the spaces in between: on medicine, science, and the human condition.

2025 · Thyroid / Guidelines

TI-RADS & thyroid cancer guidelines

TI-RADS calculation and action (Middleton, 2017) · 2025 ATA differentiated thyroid cancer guidelines (Ringel, 2025)

2025 · Parathyroid Surgery

Parathyroid intraoperative visualization & imaging

PARAFLUO ROT (Bergenfelz, 2023) · Primary hyperparathyroidism imaging review (Bunch & Kelly, 2018) · 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT (Broos, 2019)

View All Ephemerals → Links, tables & references
For Residents & Trainees

Residency Resources

Resources for residents rotating through endocrine surgery: OR preferences, patient care protocols, and mentorship.

About the Rotation

A high-volume service covering thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal surgery, with emphasis on operative decision-making, intraoperative teaching, and evidence-based postoperative care.

Mentorship & Opportunities

Dr. Michelakos mentors residents interested in endocrine surgery, surgical research, and academic careers. Research opportunities in cancer immunology are available — reach out directly.

OR & Patient Care Preferences

Operating room preferences and patient care protocols for residents and staff on the service. Access via the secure residents portal.

Open Residents Portal →
"
From the Ancients
Ὁ βίος βραχύς, ἡ δὲ τέχνη μακρή
Life is short, the art long, opportunity fleeting, experience treacherous, judgment difficult.
— Hippocrates
Aphorisms, I.1 · c. 400 BC