Thyroid Cancer

Hi, my name is Dana Henry Martin. I'm a poet, weaver, birder, medical writer, and patient advocate who lives with numerous health and mental health conditions. I'm here to engage with a community of like-minded folks who have similar lived experiences with health and mental health issues.

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Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) is a medical condition in which the parathyroid glands produce excessive amounts of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the blood. HPT has many difficult symptoms, including muscle weakness, bone and joint pain, concentration and memory issues, abdominal pain, and frequent urination. Some patients with HPT may also feel a lump in the neck.

HPT is treatable, especially if caught early, but leaving it untreated can lead to life-threatening complications such as osteoporosis and kidney disease. Not only that, but HPT is also linked to several types of cancers. In this article, we’ll explore the connection between hyperparathyroidism and cancer.

What is Hyperparathyroidism?

PTH maintains steady levels of calcium in the blood. HPT occurs when one or more of the parathyroid glands become enlarged and produce large amounts of parathyroid hormone. A high level of PTH leads to high calcium levels in the blood, impacting various body systems including the bones and muscles, brain, gastrointestinal system, and kidneys.

Hyperparathyroidism in Cancer Patients

A growing body of scientific evidence tells us that HPT is associated with numerous cancer types, including parathyroid cancer and thyroid cancer as well as skin, breast, colon, rectal, and kidney cancers. Studies also show that HPT increases the risk of malignant cancers. A study based on data from the Danish cancer care registry showed that patients with HPT have 25% increased risk of cancers.

Hyperparathyroidism and Parathyroid Cancers

Around 0.5% to 5% of HPT is caused by parathyroid cancer—that is, by a malignant tumor in the parathyroid. As of now, we know that certain factors, such as radiation therapy in the head, neck or breast region, and genetic disorders like hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome, multiple endocrine neoplasia type I (MEN1) and familial isolated hyperparathyroidism (FIHP), increase the risk of parathyroid cancer.

High calcium levels in blood is one of the chief indicators of HPT, and thus the risk of parathyroid cancer. If your blood reports show high serum calcium levels or if you experience any of the symptoms discussed above, you should get a consult from a board-certified parathyroid specialist.

Parathyroid cancers are aggressive cancers and should be caught and treated early. For this condition, the only treatment is the complete removal of the affected parathyroid gland. If the tumor isn’t removed completely, recurrence of the cancer is extremely likely.

Hyperparathyroidism and Thyroid Cancer

A study published in BMC Surgery showed that the incidence of papillary thyroid cancer is high in patients with primary and secondary HPT. Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common type of thyroid cancer, which usually forms on one lobe of the thyroid gland. The study also found that thyroid tumors more than 1 cm in size were seen only in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Thyroid cancer spreads very fast and can affect the lungs, bones and other body parts. Its symptoms include persistent cough, hoarseness of voice, neck pain which radiates to the ear, swelling in the neck, and difficulty breathing and swallowing. If you experience any of these symptoms alongside the symptoms of HPT described above, it is likely your HPT may have led to thyroid cancer. Consult a thyroid specialist immediately.

Hyperparathyroidism and Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is among the leading cancers in women in the US. Around 30-40% of women with malignant breast cancers do show high calcium levels in blood at some point during their illness. In these cases, high calcium levels in blood usually indicate spread of cancer to the bones, but it may also be caused by primary hyperparathyroidism. Moreover, women with primary hyperparathyroidism are more likely to have breast cancer than women who don’t. In women with breast cancer and high serum calcium levels, parathyroid hormone levels are usually checked to find out if the underlying cause of high calcium levels is HPT.

The Hyperparathyroidism and Cancer Connection—Possible Theories

So, we know that HPT and cancers are associated, but how do we explain the link between them? There are several theories that have been proposed so far.

Some research shows that high calcium levels in blood triggers cell division. Cancer cells, by nature, do not stop multiplying or die off, so runaway cell division caused by high blood calcium levels could conceivably lead to cancerous growth.

A few studies have also pointed out that high parathyroid hormone levels promote tumor development and inhibit cell death. Some other studies say that low levels of vitamin D, which is a prominent feature of HPT, may also increase cancer risk.

The evidence shared by these studies, however, is unfortunately not yet definitive. Scientists are still trying to find out the exact mechanisms that explain why cancer and HPT coexist, so for the moment these theories are not yet proven.

When to See a Doctor about HPT

As noted above, untreated HPT may lead to serious health issues. Many studies have shown that in addition to cancer, HPT is also linked with life threatening heart and kidney disease. Hence, it is important to be watchful for hyperparathyroidism symptoms and signs, and if you have HPT, get it treated early to prevent complications.

If you experience symptoms of HPT and your blood reports show alterations in P and calcium levels, you should get an appointment with a parathyroid expert. Dr. Babak Larian of the CENTER for Advanced Parathyroid Surgery is a parathyroid expert in treating HPT safely and effectively. He performs a minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) with a high success rate and minimal scarring. An MIP can usually be completed in under 20 minutes and is followed by a four-gland assessment that ensures patients can maximize their surgery results.

References:

1. HyperparathyroidMD. Is there a connection between hyperparathyroidism and cancer. Available at:

2. Pickard AL, Gridley G, Mellemkjae L, Johansen C, Kofoed-Enevoldsen A, Cantor KP, Brinton LA. Hyperparathyroidism and subsequent cancer risk in Denmark. Cancer. 2002 Oct 15;95(8):1611-7. doi: 10.0.3.234/cncr.10846. PMID: 12365007.

3. Serena Palmieri, Letizia Roggero, Elisa Cairoli, Valentina Morelli, Alfredo Scillitani, Iacopo Chiodini, Cristina Eller-Vainicher . Occurrence of malignant neoplasia in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. European Journal of Internal Medicine. Volume 43, September 2017, Pages 77-82

4. Michels KB, Xue F, Brandt L, Ekbom A. Hyperparathyroidism and subsequent incidence of breast cancer. Int J Cancer. 2004 Jun 20;110(3):449-51. doi: 10.0.3.234/ijc.20155. PMID: 15095313.

5. Rodrigo Arrangoiz, et al. Is Breast Cancer Associated with Primary Hyperparathyroidism?. American Journal of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery.2019. Volume 2(1). Article 1033

6. Goswami S, Ghosh S. Hyperparathyroidism: cancer and mortality. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2012 Dec;16(Suppl 2):S217-20. doi: 10.0.16.7/2230-8210.104042. PMID: 23565381; PMCID: PMC3603029.

7. Karaköse M, Kocabaş M, Can M, Çalışkan Burgucu H, Çordan İ, Kulaksızoğlu M, Karakurt F. Increased incidence of malignancy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Turk J Med Sci. 2021 Aug 30;51(4):2023-2028. doi: 10.0.15.66/sag-2012-18. PMID: 33957725; PMCID: PMC8569777.

Hi, my name is MummyTut82. I've been diagnosed with so many illnesses diseases that at age 40 and Mum of 3 darling children, I have lost all quality of life and I'm scared of myself honestly.. For I can't keep just 'existing' like this and I know it is destroying my children's hearts watching me so sick ... it breaks me more every minute coz I honestly believe they shouldn't have to see Mummy this way anymore it isn't fair on them... #icantdothis😮‍💨 #heartbroken💔 #idontwanttoleavemybabies😪 #itisjustfartoomuchtohandle💔

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I am 66 years young and have never really liked discussing the many health issues I have been dealing with over the past 40 plus years. A lot of that has to do with those in my family at times seem to not be able to relate to what is going on with me. I have been through 16 surgeries and have two bad knees that need replacement. I worked as a heavy equipment mechanic, tire store manager and Instructor at an Automotive and diesel college. These jobs have taken a heavy toll on my body along with two bad falls that started my back issues. I had two thyroid cancer surgeries in my early twenties and have no thyroid gland. I have had 5 lower back surgeries and still having problems even after multiple nerve ablations in lower back and neck. Most recently I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had the prostate removed in late November 2022. This put off having my left knee replaced for the second time and I will also need the right one replaced as well at some point in the future. Due to these problems and the fibromyalgia I find myself in constant pain everyday for many years. My pleas for relief are pretty much ignored by Doctors that do not understand or believe that I am having all these problems and won’t provide me with medication that can help me deal with the pain and sleep problems that come with chronic pain issues. Quality of life is also ignored due to the war on opioids that have helped a lot in the past, but now I think they believe I’m just looking for drugs to get high on. I refuse to use alcohol to help because it just leads to using more and more to find relief. I have not used any for 13 years and don’t want to go down that path again. To say that I am becoming overwhelmed by all of this would be a gross understatement. So I have come here to maybe connect with others with similar problems in the hope that It will help me or you in some way. There are other problems not mentioned because it would be a longer story than already stated. I have come to the conclusion that this is what it is and will live out my days in pain and fighting with my PCP Doctor over my thyroid medication. I feel better on higher dose but they insist that my numbers are normal. I have been on Disability since 2009. I know there are many of you that know what it’s like living on a fixed income and needing a lot of medical care. I like to exercise but find it to be very difficult when your body is hurting everywhere. And hurts so much more when you do. In spite of all of these issues I have never contemplated causing injury or worse to myself. I have much to live for with my children and grandchildren and hopefully someday great grandchildren. The bright parts of my life is I don’t have to deal with depression. I have a lot of faith in God and would appreciate prayers if you are so inclined. Thank you for bearing with me as I have rambled on about all of this. But it has made my life a little brighter just being able to talk about this. Any ideas or thoughts you may have to suggest that may have helped you deal with similar problems would be appreciated. Thanks for listening and have a great day.