What are parathyroid tumors?

A parathyroid tumor is a growth inside a parathyroid gland. Most parathyroid tumors are not cancer (benign). Parathyroid cancers are very rare. You have 4 parathyroid glands. They are small, pea-sized glands in your neck or upper chest near the thyroid gland.

What causes tumors on the parathyroid?

What Causes Parathyroid Gland Tumors? Nobody knows why parathyroid tumors form. We do know that virtually 100% of parathyroid tumors are benign and not cancerous. Almost everybody with hyperparathyroidism has one or two parathyroid glands that develop into a benign tumor called an adenoma.

How common are parathyroid tumors?

Parathyroid cancer is extremely rare and occurs in less than 1% of all parathyroid cases. Adenomas cause the parathyroid gland to make more parathyroid hormone than the body needs, a condition called primary hyperparathyroidism.

How is a parathyroid tumor treated?

Surgery is the main treatment for parathyroid tumors. The goal is to remove as much of it as possible. Before surgery, you may need treatment to control the amount of calcium in your blood. In some cases, a parathyroid tumor doesn’t need to be taken out.

How is a parathyroid tumor removed?

Minimally Invasive Surgery Options We typically remove parathyroid tumors through very small incisions in the neck. Usually these cuts are made in natural skin creases so any scarring is hard to see. In some cases, a parathyroid tumor may be removed using tools to keep the incision even smaller.

Are parathyroid tumors slow growing?

Expectations (prognosis): Parathyroid cancer is a rare cancer. The tumor is slow growing. Surgery may help extend life even when the cancer spreads.

Are parathyroid tumors malignant?

Parathyroid cancer is a rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of a parathyroid gland. Having certain inherited disorders can increase the risk of developing parathyroid cancer. Signs and symptoms of parathyroid cancer include weakness, feeling tired, and a lump in the neck.