| | Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 1 "OCF Canuck" Member | OP  "OCF Canuck" Member
Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 1 | I'm not sure if this is the right forum, but being a former cancer patient I always found this to be a great resource, even if I never posted anything myself.
Feeling like I need to "give back" a little something, but now I am asking for more.
I have a friend who said he's been diagnosed with a "Parathyroid Tumor" (?) and he's considering going to a specialist for treatment, Norman in Tampa, FL.
Does anyone know what advice I can give him concerning research, etc?
THANK YOU for any advice!
Jasper
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Jasper, Im sorry but Im not familiar with your friends situation. Since I see "thyroid" in it, I would have to assume your friends thyroid could be impacted with treatment. He should get a full blood count done including thyroid and testosterone levels prior to any treatment. As with any type of cancer by going to the countrys top comprehensive cancer centers or one of the hospitals on the NCI list would probably be your friends best place to get treated. Im not aware of any research going on for this specific condition but Im sure an internet search would come up with where to find something like that.
Best wishes to your friend.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 | Well .I think anyone with a tumour needs to see the best Specialist he can.
The Parathyroid Glands sit under /beneath the Thyroid gland. there are 4 of them if my memory serves me correctly.
These small glands control the calcium level in the body, a critical function.Too much or too little is a medical emergency.
If it was me I would ask if it is possible to reinplant at least 1 of these glands in the forearm to maintain Parathyroid function. Is the area to be irradiated postop? Unfortunately it very easy to damage these small glands during surgery. if we had our time over again, i would insist on having 1 reimplanted - if it is cancer free of course. It is quite a juggle to maintain normal calcium levels without the Parathyroid. It is not a simple matter of taking calcium replacements as it is the Parathyroid that regulates uptake of dietary calcium.
So, ask if all the Parathyroids are involved. Is any radiation in the plan , and go from there.
Hope this helps,
Tammy
Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis
DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT.
PET 6/11 clear.
R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED
Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in.
March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | I know a little about parathyroid cancer.
Firstly it is generally not staged. It's usually classified as localized or metastatic.
The primary treatment is surgical removal. Even if it has spread to other areas of the body. The intent with the treatment is curative.
Unlike other cancers, if it spreads say for example to the lungs, they will still go in and remove the tumor This is because it is such a slow growing cancer that it is usually still localized to where it has grown and has not seeded beyond the surrounding tissues.
Often they will follow up with radiation (a seed, pill, or possibly external) there is a high incidence of recurrence, but again because it is such a slow growing cancer its often simply excised or another dose of radiation is given. Generally if it does spread the first place it moves to is the nodes.
tell your friend best of luck. He will have to be on calcium - for life, and will have to watch his levels. hugs.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
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