Parathyroid Cancer: The Basics
Your parathyroid is made up of 4 pea-sized glands in your neck near your thyroid. These glands make parathyroid hormone. This hormone helps your body use, store, and keep calcium at a normal level. Parathyroid cancer is caused by parathyroid gland cells growing out of control. As the number of cells grows, they form a tumor.
Parathyroid cancer that has spread from the parathyroid to some other part of the body is called metastatic cancer.
Risks
There are two known genetic disorders that can increase your risk of parathyroid cancer:
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1).
- Familial isolated hyperparathyroidism (FIHP).
Screening
There are no screening tests for parathyroid cancer.
Signs of Parathyroid Cancer
Signs of parathyroid cancer are often caused by too much calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia). Signs are:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Losing weight or not feeling hungry.
- Feeling thirsty.
- Trouble thinking clearly.
- Peeing more often.
- Constipation.
Other signs of parathyroid cancer are a lump in the neck, weakness, and feeling more tired than usual.
Diagnosis of Parathyroid Cancer
If your healthcare providers think you may have parathyroid cancer, they will order tests. Some of the tests they might use are:
- An exam of your body and asking you questions about your health.
- Blood tests to check your hormone levels and how well your parathyroid is working.
- Imaging tests to see which gland(s) is overactive and to see if the cancer has spread.
Staging Parathyroid Cancer
Parathyroid cancer is not staged, but can be either localized (kept to one area) or metastatic (spread to areas away from the original tumor).
Treatment
Treatments for parathyroid cancer are:
- Surgery:
- En bloc resection: The whole parathyroid gland and the capsule (outer covering) around it are removed. In some cases, lymph nodes, half of the thyroid gland, muscle, tissues, and nerves are also removed.
- Debulking: As much tumor is removed as possible.
- Radiation Therapy: The use of high energy x-rays to kill cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy: Medications are used to kill cancer cells.
- Supportive care:
- Intravenous (IV) fluids (fluids given into a vein).
- Medications that help you make more urine.
- Medications that stop the body from taking in too much calcium from foods.
- Medication that stops the parathyroid gland from making too much hormone.
This article is a basic guide to parathyroid cancer. You can learn more about parathyroid cancer diagnosis and treatment by using the links below.
Surgical Procedures: Surgery and Staging for Parathyroid Cancer