Parathyroid symptoms are a sign that your parathyroid gland in the neck doesn’t produce enough hormones. In the United States, more than 100,000 people suffer from parathyroid disease. According to the research, women over 50 are more likely to develop this cancer. Like other cancers, the parathyroid also shows mild or no symptoms initially.
Although, people who have a history of calcium or vitamin deficiency are more prone to be affected by this disease. Parathyroid cancer affects the various body organs and tissues if not treated on time. In this post, we will explain the symptoms and treatment of parathyroid cancer.
What Is Parathyroid Cancer?
Parathyroid cancer is when the parathyroid glands in the neck produce enough parathyroid hormones(PTH). The excess PTH in the bloodstream causes a lower level of calcium. The function of the parathyroid gland is to regulate the levels of phosphorus and calcium in the body.
Whenever calcium levels decrease, our body produces more PTH to raise the level or vice versa. Parathyroid symptoms show a deficiency of calcium level, which disrupts the whole body’s metabolism. A good calcium level keeps the nerves, heart, and muscles functioning smoothly. The low calcium level causes various heart, muscle spasms, and tingling problems.
Types Of Parathyroid Cancer
Parathyroid symptoms depend on the type and the stage of cancer. This disease affects mostly women of age 40-50 years. It is important to understand the different types of parathyroid found in females.
Hyperparathyroidism
Hyperparathyroidism(HPT) is a common type of parathyroid cancer. During this type of cancer, multiple glands of the neck become overactive. The overactive glands make a large number of parathyroid hormones. Due to this, the levels of calcium in the body increase, which leads to hypercalcemia. Later, the hypercalcemia causes serious health problems like kidney stones, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Hypoparathyroidism
Hypoparathyroidism cancer is a condition in which the body lacks parathyroid hormones. As a result, the calcium levels in the body are lower than normal. This type of cancer increases the risk of various disorders in the adrenal glands. When the parathyroid symptoms grow, it results in serious conditions like Pernicious anemia, Parkinson’s disease, and attacks on the immune system.
Parathyroid Symptoms In Females
Parathyroid symptoms and treatment are hard to notice in the beginning. However, the common sign of its symptoms is damaged tissues and organs. Calcium plays an essential role in various body functions. As it lowers the level of calcium, then females can suffer from various problems. Most of the time, the parathyroid symptoms in females are very mild or nonspecific. Due to this, many women mistake these symptoms for another disease. Here are the parathyroid symptoms and treatments which you must know:
Excessive Urination
One of the common parathyroid symptoms in females is excessive urination. Most women face urination problems during the early stage of cancer. It results in urination pain at night during the higher stages of parathyroid cancer.
Problems In Bones
Calcium is important for stronger bones as well as teeth. Due to a deficiency of calcium levels in the body, you may face various bone problems. The issues like bone dislocation, joint pain, and other bone issues are common parathyroid symptoms.
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Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are the most common parathyroid symptoms in females. These stones develop when the calcium in the urine causes small and hard deposits of stones. These small stones are hard to pass in the urine and deposit in the kidney.
Constipation And Pain In The Abdomen
During the early stages of parathyroid disease, women feel pain and constipation in the abdomen. The pain increases at night and causes serious problems in the future. It results in the immune system’s weakness, which is continuously attacked by the PTH and other bacteria.
Memory Loss
Memory loss can be seen in the later stages of parathyroid cancer. Other forms of parathyroid symptoms you can experience are confusion and forgetfulness.
Lump In The Neck
Parathyroid cancer affects the parathyroid glands, which are located behind the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is the major gland in a human being. With time, females experience a lump in the neck. The lump is a sign that you are suffering from serious parathyroid symptoms. In such conditions, it is best to consult a cancer specialist as soon as possible.
Vomiting
Vomiting is also a common parathyroid symptom in females. You may have the feeling of nausea and loss of appetite. The PTH directly affects the immune system and causes digestion problems. During the growth stage, you may face problems with eating and digestion.
Causes Of Parathyroid Symptoms
You can’t know the parathyroid symptoms and treatment until you know its main causes in females. As we know, parathyroid cancer occurs when too much parathyroid hormone is released. Here are the main causes of parathyroid symptoms in females:
- According to the study, about 90 percent of females suffer from a non-cancerous tumor in one or more parathyroid glands.
- The other 10% percent of suffering women have enlarged parathyroid glands or produce too many hormones. It is also noticed that low magnesium levels also cause parathyroid symptoms in females.
- The former radiation therapy for treating cancer can cause parathyroid disease. Another cause is the genetic disease passing on parathyroids in the generations.
Possible Parathyroid Diagnosis And Treatment For Females
Diagnosing the parathyroid disease is possible with the help of different tests. After the proper diagnosis of the parathyroid symptoms, doctors can plan a suitable treatment.
- In the primary stages, parathyroid is diagnosed with blood tests. These blood tests indicate the level of calcium in the body.
- Another test used to diagnose parathyroid cancer is the bone mineral density test. This test measures the density of bones and minerals in the body.
- A urine test is taken to determine the amount of calcium extracted. Other tests are the ultrasound of the parathyroid glands and kidneys.
Various Possible Treatments Of Parathyroid In Female
The mild parathyroid symptoms are easy to treat and cause few complications. The type of treatment required depends on the type and stage of parathyroid cancer. The higher stages of cancer require advanced parathyroid symptoms and treatment.
Surgery
The surgery is required when cancer starts growing in other body parts. During the surgery, cancer specialists remove the affected parathyroid glands. The abnormal tissue of the gland has been cut down and removed from the other tissues. It is an effective treatment that solves the condition in females in 95% of parathyroid symptoms.
Calcimimetic Treatment
During the calcimimetic treatment, various medications like cinacalcet are given to the patient. These medications mimic the effects of calcium in the body and lower the release of parathyroid hormones in the body.
Bisphosphonate Medications
Bisphosphonate medications help strengthen the bones of the body. These medications help prevent the bones from losing calcium, reducing dislocation and fractures.
Final Words
The parathyroid symptoms start from the basic neck gland problems. During this condition, the parathyroid gland produces high hormones, which results in lower calcium levels in the body. Women aged 40-50 are largely affected by parathyroid cancer. It is important to diagnose its early symptoms to know the type and stage of parathyroid disease.
We offer a secure diagnosis and treatment of various parathyroid cancer in women. Our cancer specialists have a deep understanding of various stages and types of cancers. Our certified cancer treatments provide our patients with a fast and safest recovery. Give yourself a cancer-free life with University Cancer Centers. For more info, contact us now.
