How Does Parathyroid Cancer Affect The Parathyroid Glands?

Parathyroid cancer can cause the parathyroid glands to produce too much parathyroid hormone, leading to very high calcium levels and low phosphorus levels. This can lead to hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid glands) and cause many of the below symptoms.

How Is Parathyroid Cancer Diagnosed?

Your doctor will examine your health history and perform a physical exam when evaluating you for parathyroid cancer. Unlike other types of cancer, a biopsy is not the preferred method for diagnosing parathyroid cancer. Blood and urine tests may be performed to measure the levels of calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormones in your blood. A parathyroid scan (also called a Sestamibi scan or radionuclide scan) may be ordered to get a better look at the parathyroid glands. During this procedure, a safe radioactive substance will be injected into your vein. This substance travels to the parathyroid glands and brightly lights up the glands on computer imaging to see if there are any tumors present. Parathyroid growths may also be detected using ultrasounds, CT scans, or MRIs. These diagnostic imaging techniques produce detailed views of the parathyroid glands, which allow doctors to better examine the area for signs of cancer.

What Are Some Common Parathyroid Cancer Treatments?

The most common treatment for parathyroid cancer is the surgical removal of affected parathyroid glands. In some cases, radiation therapy may be used alongside parathyroid cancer surgery or used as a substitute if surgery is not possible.

What Are The Symptoms Of Parathyroid Cancer?

As parathyroid cancer progresses and grows larger, patients may notice a firm lump around the neck or throat. Parathyroid cancer may also cause chronic tiredness and muscle weakness. Patients may experience sudden weight fluctuations, loss of appetite, frequent urination, depression, and anxiety. However, many of these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions. It is important to undergo a full evaluation in order to determine if your symptoms may be a sign of parathyroid cancer.

What Can I Expect Following Parathyroid Cancer Surgery In NYC?

Patients may require a 1-2 night hospital stay before being discharged. It may hurt to swallow for a few days following your parathyroid cancer surgery. A liquid diet may be recommended for the initial days to make it easier to swallow. Dr. Shin will prescribe pain medication to relieve any discomfort. Calcium and vitamin D supplements are typically recommended to reduce the chance of developing hypocalcemia. As with any parathyroid surgery, vigorous exercise and strenuous activities should be avoided until permitted by our parathyroid specialist. Dr. Shin will discuss your post-care instructions and guidelines in more detail during your consultation at New York Sinus & Thyroid Surgery Center.

What Causes Parathyroid Cancer In NYC?

Parathyroid cancer forms as a result of cancerous cells in the parathyroid gland. If these cells grow and multiply uncontrollably, they can morph into a cancerous tumor. The exact causes of parathyroid cancer are unclear. However, there are many factors that can contribute to the development of this cancer.

What Is The Prognosis For Parathyroid Cancer?

The prognosis for your parathyroid cancer will ultimately depend on many factors, including the extent and stage of your cancer. Parathyroid cancer is slow-growing and is considered very treatable if diagnosed early.

Parathyroid Cancer NYC | Parathyroid Cancer Surgery New York

PARATHYROID CANCER OVERVIEW
VERY RARE TYPE OF CANCER
OCCURS WHEN CELLS IN THE PARATHYROID GLAND RAPIDLY MULTIPLY
MAY CAUSE NOTICEABLE LUMPS IN THE NECK
CAUSES THE PARATHYROIDS TO PRODUCE TOO MANY PARATHYROID HORMONES
HYPERPARATHYROIDISM IS OFTEN PRESENT IN PATIENTS
MORE COMMON IN WOMEN & MIDDLE-AGED PATIENTS
CAN BE DETECTED THROUGH BLOOD TESTS, URINE TESTS, RADIONUCLIDE SCANS, & DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING SCANS
TREATMENT REQUIRES THE SURGICAL REMOVAL OF THE AFFECTED PARATHYROID(S)
CALCIUM & VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTS ARE OFTEN RECOMMENDED FOLLOWING PARATHYROID CANCER SURGERY

PARATHYROID CANCER OVERVIEW

VERY RARE TYPE OF CANCER

OCCURS WHEN CELLS IN THE PARATHYROID GLAND RAPIDLY MULTIPLY

MAY CAUSE NOTICEABLE LUMPS IN THE NECK

CAUSES THE PARATHYROIDS TO PRODUCE TOO MANY PARATHYROID HORMONES

HYPERPARATHYROIDISM IS OFTEN PRESENT IN PATIENTS

MORE COMMON IN WOMEN & MIDDLE-AGED PATIENTS

CAN BE DETECTED THROUGH BLOOD TESTS, URINE TESTS, RADIONUCLIDE SCANS, & DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING SCANS

TREATMENT REQUIRES THE SURGICAL REMOVAL OF THE AFFECTED PARATHYROID(S)

CALCIUM & VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTS ARE OFTEN RECOMMENDED FOLLOWING PARATHYROID CANCER SURGERY

RISK FACTORS FOR PARATHYROID CANCER
A family history of parathyroid disease
History of hyperparathyroidism or other parathyroid disorders
Multiple endocrine neoplasia
Hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome
Radiation exposure
Calcium or vitamin D deficiencies
More common in females
More common in middle-aged patients

RISK FACTORS FOR PARATHYROID CANCER

A family history of parathyroid disease

History of hyperparathyroidism or other parathyroid disorders

Multiple endocrine neoplasia

Hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome

Radiation exposure

Calcium or vitamin D deficiencies

More common in females

More common in middle-aged patients

PARATHYROID CANCER SYMPTOMS
LUMPS AROUND THE NECK
HOARSE VOICE
TROUBLE SWALLOWING
SUDDEN WEIGHT FLUCTUATIONS
CHRONIC LETHARGY
MUSCLE WEAKNESS
FREQUENT URINATION & CONSTANT THIRST
BRAIN FOG
DEPRESSION & NERVOUSNESS
LOSS OF APPETITE
BONE PAIN
NAUSEA & VOMITING

PARATHYROID CANCER SYMPTOMS

LUMPS AROUND THE NECK

HOARSE VOICE

TROUBLE SWALLOWING

SUDDEN WEIGHT FLUCTUATIONS

CHRONIC LETHARGY

MUSCLE WEAKNESS

FREQUENT URINATION & CONSTANT THIRST

BRAIN FOG

DEPRESSION & NERVOUSNESS

LOSS OF APPETITE

BONE PAIN

NAUSEA & VOMITING

COMMON PARATHYROID CANCER TREATMENTS
Parathyroid Cancer Surgery
Surgery is the preferred treatment option for parathyroid cancer. Cancerous parathyroid glands will be removed from the body. Any occurrence of cancer surrounding the parathyroids will also be surgically removed.
External Beam Radiation Therapy
External beam therapy uses controlled waves of radiation to destroy cancerous parathyroid cells. Radiation therapy can help prevent the recurrence of cancer following surgery. If surgery is not an option, then radiation therapy may be used to halt the spread of parathyroid cancer.
Dietary Supplements
Patients who have parathyroid cancer surgery typically require dietary supplements to prevent hypocalcemia (low calcium levels in the blood). Calcium and vitamin D supplements may be recommended by our parathyroid specialist.

COMMON PARATHYROID CANCER TREATMENTS

Parathyroid Cancer Surgery

Surgery is the preferred treatment option for parathyroid cancer. Cancerous parathyroid glands will be removed from the body. Any occurrence of cancer surrounding the parathyroids will also be surgically removed.

External Beam Radiation Therapy

External beam therapy uses controlled waves of radiation to destroy cancerous parathyroid cells. Radiation therapy can help prevent the recurrence of cancer following surgery. If surgery is not an option, then radiation therapy may be used to halt the spread of parathyroid cancer.

Dietary Supplements

Patients who have parathyroid cancer surgery typically require dietary supplements to prevent hypocalcemia (low calcium levels in the blood). Calcium and vitamin D supplements may be recommended by our parathyroid specialist.

WHAT PATIENTS SAY ABOUT DR. SHIN

Dr. Shin is an exceptional physician for quite a number of reasons. His bedside mannerism is excellent as he always listens attentively and patiently to my concerns, without ever being dismissive. Let me also note that he is compassionate, caring, and sensitive – always taking the time to try and diminish my fears. Ultimately, as a patient, I always feel listened to, and equally as important, I walk away feeling confident in his diagnosis and treatment plan.

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Parathyroid Cancer NYC

Parathyroid Tumors

What Causes Parathyroid Cancer In NYC?

How Does Parathyroid Cancer Affect The Parathyroid Glands?

What Are The Symptoms Of Parathyroid Cancer?

How Is Parathyroid Cancer Diagnosed?

What Is The Prognosis For Parathyroid Cancer?

What Are Some Common Parathyroid Cancer Treatments?

WHAT PATIENTS SAY ABOUT DR. SHIN