SantiagoHEMA
Specialized Hospital for Advanced Medicine: labs, cardiology and the procedure in the same building, fifteen minutes from the airport. The most practical choice if you fly in.
Dr. Joan Jacobo · Dominican Republic
He operates on breast, digestive and other cancers, and assesses your thyroid nodule to treat it with or without surgery. Care in English.
How we can help you
ThyroidDiagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules, goiter and cancer, with the option of not operating when the case allows it.Training for physiciansNational training in thyroid radiofrequency ablation, directed by Dr. Jacobo and endorsed by SODOCO.Cancer surgerySurgery for breast, colon and stomach, head and neck, chest and sarcoma cancers, with a clear plan from the start.International patientsA virtual consultation before you travel and the cost in writing, so you can plan the trip with the information in hand.
Before and after
This nodule was treated without surgery.
Radiofrequency ablation treats the nodule with a fine electrode guided by ultrasound, under local anesthesia and with same-day discharge, and it leaves no scar. Before the treatment, this patient's nodule was visible to the naked eye; five months later, it no longer shows.
Drag to compare
Radiofrequency ablation
Your nodule may be treated without surgery.
Radiofrequency ablation shrinks the nodule from the inside, under local anesthesia, with no scar and same-day discharge. The videos are in Spanish.
Google reviews
5.046 reviewsSee on GooglePatient reviews.
Thyroid and cancer surgery patients, and patients from abroad, tell how their experience with the doctor was.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to the doctor for being my guide and support during one of the most difficult times of my life: my thyroid cancer treatment. From…
Yaskira PerezMay 2026Dr. Jacobo is highly professional, skilled, and incredibly kind. He takes the time to explain every step and every procedure, ensuring his patients have no unanswered…
Rosemil OvalleFebruary 2025Dr. Jacobo is an excellent professional with world-class attention to detail. When treating a close relative with thyroid surgery, at a leading center in the field, he…
Anthony TejadaJanuary 2025Wonderful doctor. I had no idea I'd been suffering from thyroid problems for some time, and you gave me an accurate diagnosis that changed my life. Thank you so much…
Ana AguileraJanuary 2025I had a total thyroidectomy performed by Dr. Jacobo. It was a difficult surgery, but I came out of the operating room feeling excellent. Dr. Jacobo loves what he does…
Sheila Sabrina Calderon cuelloJune 2025I am incredibly grateful for the care I received from Dr. Jacobo. I initially found him through a Google search while looking for alternative treatment options for my…
Kate LockhartMarch 2026My husband was diagnosed with colon cancer. Amidst our worry, we chose Dr. Jacobo because I was struck by his genuine and selfless interest in my husband's diagnosis. He…
Nidia AcostaSeptember 2025Dr. Joan is a physician with outstanding professional training and a true calling: compassionate, approachable, and always attentive, not only to his patients but also to…
Andi AlmanzarSeptember 2025I recently underwent surgery by Dr. Joan Jacobo, and there's nothing better than the safety and peace of mind for a patient and family, ensuring their health is in the…
Omar Encarnación UlloaSeptember 2025An excellent doctor, my dear Dr. Jacobo. After seeing many doctors without a clear answer about what was wrong with me, I finally found Dr. Jacobo. With great care and…
Alexandra Fontana ReynosoJanuary 2025I want to express my sincere gratitude to the doctor for his excellent work and dedication. From the very first moment, he instilled confidence, security, and a human…
Josmeiry PaulinoMarch 2026Dr. Joan Jacobo studied and performed a brain scan for my mother, and the experience was much more bearable thanks to his wonderful professional and, above all, humane…
Anibelka MenaApril 2024I want to highlight Dr. Joan's excellent service, experience, and dedication to his patients. Personally, I want to emphasize that few doctors dedicate the time, care…
Massiel LizardoJuly 2025Dr. Jacobo is a specialist who inspires great confidence and security. He knows how to soothe the anxiety that comes with having to see him! He's a doctor at the…
Jenny Guzman De GonzalezApril 2024Dr. Joan Javier Jacobo is an excellent oncology professional. He is highly qualified and recommended by other oncologists in the country. I wholeheartedly recommend him.…
Angelica MejiaAugust 2024Dr. Joan Javier Jacobo is an excellent professional and physician with a genuine and compassionate nature that is highly effective for his patients. I, his patient for…
Mariela Jiminian CamiloApril 2024An excellent doctor, dedicated to his patients, providing exceptional care with love and dedication. You are a doctor who inspires confidence; all patients should have an…
Jisselle PaulinoFebruary 2025An excellent professional, ethical, committed, and approachable. A doctor who, in addition to being highly qualified, provides his patients with peace of mind…
Mercedes RosarioJune 2025My dear Dr. Jacobo, for me you are an excellent doctor, kind, gentle, and a great professional. I had kidney surgery performed by him and I feel very well. I bless you…
Margaret CastrillonJanuary 2025Dr. Joan took the time to listen attentively, answer all my questions, and explain everything clearly and calmly. I felt heard, well cared for, and in good hands…
Lizvanessa JavierApril 2026
The goal is to preserve the thyroid and keep patients from depending on replacement medication for life.Dr. Joan Jacobo, in the newspaper Hoy, May 2026 (translated)
The doctor
Dr. Joan Jacobo, surgical oncologist.
He performs both thyroid surgery and radiofrequency ablation, and recommends one or the other based on what the ultrasound and the biopsy show.
- Residency in surgical oncologyCentro Médico Nacional 20 de Noviembre, Mexico
- Training in thyroid nodule ablationAsan Medical Center, Seoul, with Dr. Jung Hwan Baek
- Directs the national training in the techniqueEndorsed by SODOCO
Background
His training, and what he now shares with other physicians.
2024 · Seoul, Asan Medical Center Training in thyroid ablation with Professor Jung Hwan Baek.
2024 · Budapest Advanced course on oncoplastic breast surgery.
2025 · Santo Domingo Lecture on thyroid ablation at the SODOCO congress.
2026 · Santo Domingo He directs the national training in the technique, endorsed by SODOCO.
2026 · Punta Cana Lecture at the International Congress of the Dominican College of Surgeons.
In the press
What the press and television have said about his work.
Santiago acogerá entrenamiento profesional en radiofrecuencia para el tratamiento de nódulos tiroideosSeptember 7, 2026
¿Puede la radiofrecuencia reemplazar la cirugía de tiroides?May 18, 2026
República Dominicana tendrá su primer entrenamiento en ablación tiroidea sin cirugíaMay 22, 2026
Anuncian entrenamiento en RD sobre ablación de nódulos tiroideos por radiofrecuenciaMay 22, 2026
Nueva tecnología contra nódulos tiroideos promete menos riesgos y recuperación rápidaMay 24, 2026- See all publications
Thyroid ablation
This treatment suits some nodules, not every one.
There are established criteria, and they are what we will assess with you at your first consultation.
Probably yes, if
a biopsy confirmed the nodule is benign and, in addition,
- it measures more than two centimeters
- it causes discomfort when swallowing or speaking
- it is visible on your neck, and that affects you
- it has grown on follow-up scans
Probably not, if
- the ultrasound shows high-risk features
- the nodule is mostly fluid, because then the first option is a different, simpler technique
If you have a cancer diagnosis
In a very small papillary carcinoma with no nodes, the guidelines contemplate ablation in selected patients. If the cancer is larger than one centimeter or has spread, surgery is what is indicated, and Dr. Jacobo performs it himself.
Locations
Choose the center closest to you.
Santo DomingoClínica Abreu
In Gazcue, in the center of the capital, about 35 minutes from the airport. The clinic's first radiofrequency ablation session took place here.
San Francisco de MacorísCentro Médico Siglo 21
Office in suite 106, for patients in the northeast who prefer not to travel to Santiago.
27 · 28November 2026 Santiago
SantiagoFor physicians · Second editionSee the program
Training in thyroid radiofrequency ablation.
Directed by Dr. Jacobo and endorsed by the Dominican Society of Surgical Oncology, for surgeons, interventional radiologists and endocrinologists, with a maximum of ten places.
Endorsed by
Organized with
Instagram
His daily work in the clinic, in the operating room and as a national and international speaker.
He posts cases, training, and every week's work across his three locations.
Before booking
What people ask before booking.
Citizens of the United States, Canada and most of Europe do not need a visa for the Dominican Republic. A valid passport is enough for stays under 30 days. Check your own country's requirements before traveling.
Typically four to five. Pre-procedure labs and a cardiology check the day after you arrive, the procedure the following day, and a check before you fly home 72 hours after the procedure.
The virtual evaluation is paid online when you book. The procedure is paid on arrival. There is no deposit, and you receive the full cost in writing before you decide anything.
It is done under local anesthesia. During the procedure you feel warmth or pressure, not pain. Some neck discomfort for a few days afterwards is normal and is managed with common pain relievers.
It is not required, since the procedure is under local anesthesia and you walk out the same day, but it is nice to have company. One companion is welcome in the consultation and the center.
You are told in the virtual evaluation, before you travel, along with the options you do have. Dr. Jacobo also operates on the thyroid.
Request an evaluation.
Visits in Santiago, Santo Domingo and San Francisco de Macorís. Also by video call.