Parathyroid Adenoma

Glands of the body are tissues that secrete hormones. Hormones are essential to the function of the body and must be maintained at a certain level. When a benign tumor forms on one of the glands of the body, it is called an adenoma. These tumors are a neoplasm (abnormal growth of tissues) but are not cancer, meaning that they will not spread to other areas of the body. The problem with these benign tumors of the glands of the body is they cause excess production and secretion of hormone. In the case of a parathyroid adenoma, too much parathyroid hormone is made, raising the serum (blood) calcium level. Calcium is a very important mineral and is essential for the function of nearly every cell in the body.

High calcium levels may cause additional symptoms of this disease including the following: kidney stones, heart disease such as hypertension and heart failure, abdominal pains, muscle weakness, fatigue, memory loss or confusion, and irritability. In addition, because parathyroid hormone increases calcium levels in part by removing calcium from the bones, osteopenia and osteoporosis (brittle bones) can also result from this disease. Due to the potentially serious long term effects of high serum calcium levels, anyone with elevated calcium needs evaluation and treatment by a physician.

Doctors screen for disorders of the parathyroid glands every time a calcium level test is performed, measuring ionized calcium level or total calcium level. There are many causes of high serum calcium, so your doctor will likely need to run additional tests if the level is too high. The most common cause of high serum calcium, however, is hyperparathyroidism. The most common cause of hyperparathyroidism is a parathyroid adenoma.

The only cure for a parathyroid adenoma is surgical removal. This treatment will be discussed with you by your doctor.