Parathyroid cancer
What is parathyroid cancer?
Parathyroid cancer starts in the cells of a parathyroid gland. The parathyroid glands are in your neck, on or close to your thyroid. They make a hormone called parathyroid hormone (PTH).
Risks for parathyroid cancer
Risk factors for parathyroid cancer include multiple endocrine neoplasia and hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumour. Learn about parathyroid cancer risk.
Signs and symptoms of parathyroid cancer
Common signs and symptoms of parathyroid cancer include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation and fatigue.
Diagnosis of parathyroid cancer
Blood chemistry tests and scans are part of the process of diagnosing parathyroid cancer. It’s usually necessary to have surgery to remove the tumour and examine it under a microscope to confirm that it's cancer.
Stages of parathyroid cancer
The stage describes how much cancer is in the body. Parathyroid cancer is often described as localized, metastatic or recurrent.
If parathyroid cancer spreads
Parathyroid cancer can spread (metastasize) to the thyroid, soft tissues in the neck and windpipe (trachea).
Prognosis and survival for parathyroid cancer
Prognosis estimates the outcome for parathyroid cancer. It depends on many factors including distant metastasis and surgical margins.
Treatments for parathyroid cancer
The main treatment for parathyroid cancer is surgery. Chemotherapy is sometimes used. Treating hypercalcemia is often an important part of your treatment plan.
Supportive care for parathyroid cancer
Supportive care for parathyroid cancer helps you meet physical, practical, emotional and spiritual challenges.
Parathyroid cancer statistics
Cancer statistics tell us how many people in Canada are diagnosed with and die from other endocrine cancers in a certain time frame.
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