Parathyroid carcinoma
Encyclopedia
Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare cause of hypercalcemia. It forms in tissues of one or more of the parathyroid glands (four pea-sized glands in the neck that make parathyroid hormone
, which helps the body store and use calcium
).
It is rare, and much less common than parathyroid adenoma
.
It can be difficult to excise.
Conditions that appear to result in an increased risk of parathyroid cancer include multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1
, autosomal dominant familial isolated hyperparathyroidism and hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome (which also is hereditary). Parathyroid cancer has also been associated with external radiation exposure, but, most reports describe an association between radiation and the more common parathyroid adenoma
.
now agents like calcimimetics are used to lower the calcium level in body to lower the effects of high calcium in blood.
Parathyroid hormone
Parathyroid hormone , parathormone or parathyrin, is secreted by the chief cells of the parathyroid glands as a polypeptide containing 84 amino acids...
, which helps the body store and use calcium
Calcium
Calcium is the chemical element with the symbol Ca and atomic number 20. It has an atomic mass of 40.078 amu. Calcium is a soft gray alkaline earth metal, and is the fifth-most-abundant element by mass in the Earth's crust...
).
It is rare, and much less common than parathyroid adenoma
Parathyroid adenoma
A parathyroid adenoma is a benign tumor of the parathyroid gland. It can cause hyperparathyroidism.CT scans or sestamibi parathyroid scintigraphy can be used in detection.It can be associated with Cyclin D1 expression....
.
It can be difficult to excise.
Risk factors
Parathyroid cancer occurs in midlife at the same rate in men and women.Conditions that appear to result in an increased risk of parathyroid cancer include multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 or Wermer's syndrome is part of a group of disorders that affect the endocrine system.-Explanation:...
, autosomal dominant familial isolated hyperparathyroidism and hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome (which also is hereditary). Parathyroid cancer has also been associated with external radiation exposure, but, most reports describe an association between radiation and the more common parathyroid adenoma
Parathyroid adenoma
A parathyroid adenoma is a benign tumor of the parathyroid gland. It can cause hyperparathyroidism.CT scans or sestamibi parathyroid scintigraphy can be used in detection.It can be associated with Cyclin D1 expression....
.
Signs and Symptoms
Most patients experience moderate to severe hypercalcemia and high parathyroid hormone levels. A large mass in the neck is often seen, and renal and bone abnormalities are common.Treatment
Parathyroid carcinoma is sometimes diagnosed during surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism. If the surgeon suspects carcinoma based on severity or invasion of surrounding tissues by a firm parathyroid tumor, aggressive excision is performed, including the thyroid and surrounding tissues as necessary.now agents like calcimimetics are used to lower the calcium level in body to lower the effects of high calcium in blood.
External links
- Parathyroid cancer entry in the public domain NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
- Cancer Management Handbook: Thyroid and Parathyroid Cancers