Parathyroid Carcinoma

Primary hyperparathryroidism is always caused by abnormal growth of the thyroid gland. The parathyroid cells multiply in number. Extra cells lead to extra parathyroid hormone, causing elevated calcium levels. In the vast majority of these cases, the growth is benign. Rarely, parathyroid disease can be due to parathryoid carcinoma.

As with any carcinoma, the cause of the malignant tumor is uncontrolled growth of cells. Cells of the body normally only divide when signaled to do so. Cancer cells, on the other hand, have mutations in their genes, allowing them to grow uncontrolled and unrestricted. These cells do not respond to signals from the body. They also have the ability to move (metastasize) to other areas of the body.

In parathyroid carcinoma, the parathyroid cells multiply in an uncontrolled manner. Sometimes these cells produce parathyroid hormone, and sometimes they do not. If the cells do produce parathyroid hormone, hyperparathyroidism and a high calcium level will result. This results in the same symptoms as when a benign (non-cancerous) parathyroid gland causes a high calcium level by producing excess parathyroid hormone: osteoporosis, kidney stones, bone pain, abdominal pain and cramping, depression, fatigue, muscle weakness, and many other symptoms. These symptoms illustrate the many parts of the body that are affected by high calcium in blood. Benign and malignant diseases cannot be differentiated based on blood tests, both will result in a high parathyroid hormone level and a high calcium level.

The only way to determine whether an abnormal parathyroid gland is benign or malignant is to remove it during surgery. All parathyroid glands removed during surgery are sent to the pathology laboratory for inspection and diagnosis. This ensures that the proper diagnosis is made.