Treatments for parathyroid cancer

Your healthcare team will create a treatment plan just for you. The plan is based on your health and specific information about the cancer. What you want is also important. When planning treatment for parathyroid cancer, your healthcare team will consider:

  • whether the cancer is localized, metastatic or recurrent
  • the calcium level in the blood

Surgery is the main treatment for parathyroid cancer. This cancer is usually diagnosed only after you have had surgery to remove the tumour, the parathyroid gland or glands, and some surrounding tissue. Surgery may be the only treatment you need. In some cases, chemotherapy may be used.

Most people who have parathyroid cancer have hypercalcemia (high levels of calcium in the blood). Hypercalcemia can be life-threatening and treating it is usually a very important part of your overall treatment plan.

Treatments for high calcium levels (hypercalcemia)

Hypercalcemia is often treated by replacing fluids in the body and with drug therapies such as bisphosphonates, calcitonin and calcimimetics.

Treatments for localized parathyroid cancer

Localized parathyroid cancer is treated with surgery.

Treatments for metastatic or recurrent parathyroid cancer

Parathyroid cancer that comes back (recurs) or spreads (metastasizes) can be treated with surgery. Chemotherapy may also be used.

Follow-up after treatment for parathyroid cancer

Follow-up is an important part of care for parathyroid cancer. It often involves regular tests and visits with the healthcare team.

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