Parathyroid cancer medical therapy

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ammu Susheela, M.D. [2]

Overview

The predominant therapy for parathyroid cancer is surgical resection. Adjunctive supportive therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation may be required. Supportive therapy for parathyroid cancer includes IV fluids, diuretics, and calcimimetic agents.

Medical Therapy

• There are different types of treatment for patients with parathyroid cancer.
• Treatment includes control of hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) in patients who have an overactive parathyroid gland.

Standard Therapy

• Four types of standard treatment are used:

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Supportive care
• Follow-up tests may be needed.

Radiation therapy

• Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. There are two types of radiation therapy. External radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the cancer. Internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters that are placed directly into or near the cancer. The way the radiation therapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.

Chemotherapy

• Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. When chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle, the drugs enter the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body (systemic chemotherapy). When chemotherapy is placed directly into the cerebrospinal fluid, an organ, or a body cavity such as the abdomen, the drugs mainly affect cancer cells in those areas (regional chemotherapy). The way the chemotherapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.

Supportive care

• Supportive care is given to lessen the problems caused by the disease or its treatment. Supportive care for hypercalcemia caused by parathyroid cancer may include the following:

• Intravenous (IV) fluids
• Diuretics
• Antiresorptive agents such as biphosphonates, gallium, or mithramycin

• Calcimimetic agents that directly block secretion of the parathyroid hormone from the glands

• Gallium nitrate is used to reduce the calcium levels.
• Calcitonin is used to control the calcium levels.

References

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