Parathyroid cancer is a cancerous (malignant) growth in a parathyroid gland.
Alternative NamesParathyroid carcinoma
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe parathyroid glands are responsible for managing the calcium levels in the body. There are four parathyroid glands, two on top of each lobe of the thyroid gland. They are located at the base of the neck.
Parathyroid cancer is an extremely rare type of cancer. Men and women are equally affected. It usually occurs in people older than 30.
The cause of parathyroid cancer is unknown. People with multiple endocrine neoplasia type I have an increased risk for this disease. People who had head or neck radiation may also be at increased risk. Such radiation exposure, however, is more likely to cause thyroid cancer.
SymptomsSymptoms of parathyroid cancer are primarily caused by high levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia), and may affect various parts of the body. They include:
It is important to note that only about 1 out of 200 people with primary hyperparathyroidism have parathyroid cancer.
Signs and testsParathyroid cancer is extremely hard to diagnose.
Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask about your medical history.
In about half of all cases, feeling the neck with the hands (palpation) can reveal a cancerous parathyroid tumor.
Cancerous parathyroid tumors tend to produce very high amounts of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Tests may include:
Before surgery, you will undergo a special radioactive scan of the parathyroid glands. The scan is called the sestamibi scan. You may also have a neck ultrasound. These tests are done to confirm which parathyroid gland is abnormal.
TreatmentThe following treatments may be used to correct hypercalcemia due to parathyroid cancer:
Surgery is the recommended treatment for parathyroid cancer. Very often, it is impossible to know whether a parathyroid tumor is cancerous or not. Your doctor may recommend surgery even without a confirmed diagnosis. Minimally invasive surgery, using smaller cuts, is becoming more common for parathyroid disease.
If tests before the surgery can find the suspicious gland, surgery may be done on one side of the neck (unilateral). If it is not possible to find the problem gland before surgery, the surgeon will look at both sides of your neck.
Chemotherapy and radiation do not work very well in preventing the cancer from coming back, although radiation can sometimes help reduce the spread of cancer to the bones. Repeated surgeries for cancer that has returned may increase survival rate and reduce the severe effects of hypercalcemia.
Expectations (prognosis)Parathyroid cancer is a rare cancer. The tumor is slow growing. Surgery may help extend life even when the cancer spreads.
ComplicationsThe cancer may spread (metastasize) to other places in the body, most commonly the lungs and bones.
The most serious complication of parathyroid cancer is hypercalcemia. Most deaths from parathyroid cancer occur as a result of severe, difficult to control hypercalcemia, and not the cancer itself.
The cancer commonly comes back (recurs). Additional surgeries may be needed. Complications from surgery can include:
Bringhurst R, Demay MB, Kronenberg HM. Hormones and disorders of mineral metabolism. In: Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 27.
Wysolmerski JJ, Insogna KL. The parathyroid glands, hypercalcemia, and hypocalcemia. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 266.
Parathyroid cancer is a cancerous (malignant) growth in a parathyroid gland.
Alternative NamesParathyroid carcinoma
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe parathyroid glands are responsible for managing the calcium levels in the body. There are four parathyroid glands, two on top of each lobe of the thyroid gland. They are located at the base of the neck.
Parathyroid cancer is an extremely rare type of cancer. Men and women are equally affected. It usually occurs in people older than 30.
The cause of parathyroid cancer is unknown. People with multiple endocrine neoplasia type I have an increased risk for this disease. People who had head or neck radiation may also be at increased risk. Such radiation exposure, however, is more likely to cause thyroid cancer.
SymptomsSymptoms of parathyroid cancer are primarily caused by high levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia), and may affect various parts of the body. They include:
It is important to note that only about 1 out of 200 people with primary hyperparathyroidism have parathyroid cancer.
Signs and testsParathyroid cancer is extremely hard to diagnose.
Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask about your medical history.
In about half of all cases, feeling the neck with the hands (palpation) can reveal a cancerous parathyroid tumor.
Cancerous parathyroid tumors tend to produce very high amounts of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Tests may include:
Before surgery, you will undergo a special radioactive scan of the parathyroid glands. The scan is called the sestamibi scan. You may also have a neck ultrasound. These tests are done to confirm which parathyroid gland is abnormal.
TreatmentThe following treatments may be used to correct hypercalcemia due to parathyroid cancer:
Surgery is the recommended treatment for parathyroid cancer. Very often, it is impossible to know whether a parathyroid tumor is cancerous or not. Your doctor may recommend surgery even without a confirmed diagnosis. Minimally invasive surgery, using smaller cuts, is becoming more common for parathyroid disease.
If tests before the surgery can find the suspicious gland, surgery may be done on one side of the neck (unilateral). If it is not possible to find the problem gland before surgery, the surgeon will look at both sides of your neck.
Chemotherapy and radiation do not work very well in preventing the cancer from coming back, although radiation can sometimes help reduce the spread of cancer to the bones. Repeated surgeries for cancer that has returned may increase survival rate and reduce the severe effects of hypercalcemia.
Expectations (prognosis)Parathyroid cancer is a rare cancer. The tumor is slow growing. Surgery may help extend life even when the cancer spreads.
ComplicationsThe cancer may spread (metastasize) to other places in the body, most commonly the lungs and bones.
The most serious complication of parathyroid cancer is hypercalcemia. Most deaths from parathyroid cancer occur as a result of severe, difficult to control hypercalcemia, and not the cancer itself.
The cancer commonly comes back (recurs). Additional surgeries may be needed. Complications from surgery can include:
Bringhurst R, Demay MB, Kronenberg HM. Hormones and disorders of mineral metabolism. In: Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 27.
Wysolmerski JJ, Insogna KL. The parathyroid glands, hypercalcemia, and hypocalcemia. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 266.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 03/02/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Absolutely. Cancer if left untreated can spread anywhere in the surrounding tissues.
Cancer of the endocrine system can be located in the thyroid, pancreas, parathyroid, adrenal, or pituitary glands. The awareness ribbons vary on the location of the cancer. Most are purple, blue, or grey.
The parathyroid glands are four small glands located in the neck or upper mediastinum (chest) near the thyroid gland. They are part of the endocrine system. The endocrine system regulates the hormones in the body. Like all parts of the endocrine system, the parathyroid glands play an important role in the body. These glands make parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood A parathyroid tumor, whether it is benign or malignant, can cause significant effects because the amount of calcium in the blood rises, resulting in a serious condition called hypercalcemia, a condition in which 75% patients who are diagnosed die within the next 3 days.
Hypercalcemia, high amounts of calcium in the blood, has symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, bone pain, dementia, and weakness. Hypercalcemia is commonly caused by improper function of the parathyroid glands.
A common result of hyperparathyroidism is hypercalcemia, or an abnormally high level of calcium in the blood. Additionally, some, but not all patients who have this disease will also have an above-normal level of PTH or parathyroid hormone, as well as a low vitamin D level. The reason for a low vitamin D level in patients with hyperparathyroidism is a protective measure by the body. The primary purpose of vitamin D is to allow the intestines to absorb calcium. When the body detects higher than normal calcium, it restricts the amount of vitamin D that is produced by the skin.
Yes you can. Actually, hypercalcemia is more commonly a result of hyperparathyroidism where one or more parathyroid glands in the neck, located behind the thyroid gland is enlarged. Cancer causing hypercalcemia is less common. If you have high calcium, it needs to be treated/cured which is often times diagnosed through a series of blood tests for calcium, PTH (or parathryoid hormone), vitamin D levels as well as a Sestemibi scan.
DefinitionA parathyroid biopsy is a procedure to remove a small piece of a parathyroid gland. The parathyroid glands are the four glands behind the thyroid in the neck.Alternative NamesBiopsy - parathyroidHow the test is performedA parathyroid biopsy is done while the patient is awake. Using an ultrasound machine, the health care provider locates the gland of concern. A thin needle is inserted directly into the gland, and a small piece of tissue is removed.The tissue is sent to a laboratory, where it is examined under a microscope. The tissue's levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) will also be checked. PTH is secreted by the parathyroid glands and helps control the body's calcium levels.How to prepare for the testTell your health care provider if you have any drug allergies or bleeding problems, or if you are pregnant. You must sign a consent form. Also, make sure the health care provider knows about all the medications you are taking.How the test will feelThe test feels like a quick shot (injection). You may feel a sting as the needle is inserted into the gland.Why the test is performedThis procedure is most often done to confirm the cause of hyperparathyroidism.It may also be done if an ultrasound exam shows a larger than normal parathyroid gland. Your doctor can only see a parathyroid gland on ultrasound if it is abnormally swollen.Normal ValuesThere is no swelling, hormone levels appear normal, and cells from the tissue sample are normal.Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.What abnormal results meanThe test confirms that a parathyroid gland is enlarged, if hormone levels are too high, or if cells from the sample are abnormal.Abnormal results may be due to:Parathyroid adenoma or carcinoma (rare)Parathyroid hyperplasiaMultiple endocrine neoplasia I (MEN I)Multiple endocrine neoplasia II (MEN II)What the risks areThe main risk is bleeding into or around the thyroid gland. If bleeding is severe, it may put pressure on the windpipe (trachea). This complication is rare. Special considerationsYou can return to normal activities the same day.
He died of cancer
The etiology of hyperparathyroidism is increased production of the parathyroid hormone. The levels of calcium and phosphorus are governed by the secretion pf PTH, parathyroid hormone, which regulates body temperature.
The Crab represnts the sunsign Cancer.
The disease is cancer
Cancer does not have a nickname. Cancer is the problem and the names of the cancer are all the types of cancer a person can have. Cancer does not have a nickname. Cancer is the problem and the names of the cancer are all the types of cancer a person can have.