Spring Break
Cause of rare cancer discovered at UConn
Frances Morales
Issue date: 11/12/03 Section: News
"Too much production of PTH in the blood calcium can reach out of the bones causing severe bone diseases such as osteoporosis and kidney stones," Arnold said.
Although parathyroid disease is common, cancer of the parathyroid gland is very rare. In fact, one of every 1,000 patients who have parathyroid disease or tumors develops cancer in the gland, according to EndocrineWeb.com.
"Tumors develop when there is an overproduction of the parathyroid hormone (PTH)," Arnold said.
Arnold said there are two forms of tumors. One benign tumor called adenoma can be easily removed surgically. The parathyroid cancer tumor is the tumor which can spread to other areas.
"Once it [spreads throughout the body] it cannot be cured," Arnold said.
According to EndocrineWeb.com, the parathyroid gland becomes cancerous when the overgrowth is composed of noxious cells. These malignant cells grow out of control developing massive tumors which later could grow cancerous.
The Web site also said the parathyroid glands are small glands of the endocrine system which are located behind the thyroid. The sole purpose of the parathyroid glands is to regulate the calcium levels in our bodies with a very narrow range so that the nervous and muscular systems can function properly.
"The parathyroid gland is a system that is designed to control the blood calcium," Arnold said.
For years it has been hard for pathologist to detect the rare form of cancer under the microscope. Doctors make diagnoses through discovering very high parathyroid hormones and serum calcium levels.
According to Arnold, the common way to detect parathyroid cancer is through routine testing of high blood calcium.
"Many times existence will come to life from screenings," Arnold said. "Another way of detecting is if one has noticeable symptoms and problem of the digestive and/or neurological system, pain in the bones, or kidney stones."
Like most cancers, parathyroid cancer can be cured and treated if detected early.
Such forms of treatments for all patients who suffer from the rare cancer are through surgery, removing the cancerous tissue or through radiation therapy, using high doses of X-rays to kill the cancerous cells, according to Endocrineweb.com.
A way of preventing from this happening is through genetic testing of germ line of mutations, according to Arnold.
Arnold said that once it is discovered that the patient has the rare cancer, then he or she can begin looking at their kids by regularly testing their blood calcium. Once the cancer has been detected, performing surgical removal will successfully prevent the cancer from becoming severe.
"This will help identify family members at risk," Arnold said.
Researchers hope that those particular kids who have relatives with parathyroid cancer will participate in standard blood testing.
Although parathyroid disease is common, cancer of the parathyroid gland is very rare. In fact, one of every 1,000 patients who have parathyroid disease or tumors develops cancer in the gland, according to EndocrineWeb.com.
"Tumors develop when there is an overproduction of the parathyroid hormone (PTH)," Arnold said.
Arnold said there are two forms of tumors. One benign tumor called adenoma can be easily removed surgically. The parathyroid cancer tumor is the tumor which can spread to other areas.
"Once it [spreads throughout the body] it cannot be cured," Arnold said.
According to EndocrineWeb.com, the parathyroid gland becomes cancerous when the overgrowth is composed of noxious cells. These malignant cells grow out of control developing massive tumors which later could grow cancerous.
The Web site also said the parathyroid glands are small glands of the endocrine system which are located behind the thyroid. The sole purpose of the parathyroid glands is to regulate the calcium levels in our bodies with a very narrow range so that the nervous and muscular systems can function properly.
"The parathyroid gland is a system that is designed to control the blood calcium," Arnold said.
For years it has been hard for pathologist to detect the rare form of cancer under the microscope. Doctors make diagnoses through discovering very high parathyroid hormones and serum calcium levels.
According to Arnold, the common way to detect parathyroid cancer is through routine testing of high blood calcium.
"Many times existence will come to life from screenings," Arnold said. "Another way of detecting is if one has noticeable symptoms and problem of the digestive and/or neurological system, pain in the bones, or kidney stones."
Like most cancers, parathyroid cancer can be cured and treated if detected early.
Such forms of treatments for all patients who suffer from the rare cancer are through surgery, removing the cancerous tissue or through radiation therapy, using high doses of X-rays to kill the cancerous cells, according to Endocrineweb.com.
A way of preventing from this happening is through genetic testing of germ line of mutations, according to Arnold.
Arnold said that once it is discovered that the patient has the rare cancer, then he or she can begin looking at their kids by regularly testing their blood calcium. Once the cancer has been detected, performing surgical removal will successfully prevent the cancer from becoming severe.
"This will help identify family members at risk," Arnold said.
Researchers hope that those particular kids who have relatives with parathyroid cancer will participate in standard blood testing.