Surgery for parathyroid cancer

Surgery is the main treatment for parathyroid cancer. It is often the only treatment needed. This operation is called a parathyroidectomy.

During a parathyroidectomy a surgeon will remove the parathyroid gland containing the cancer cells, and any nearby affected areas.

They may also remove:

• half of the thyroid gland on the same side as the cancer
• some nearby lymph nodes in the neck.

Surgery can also be used to treat cancer that comes back again, or if the cancer spreads to other areas of the body.

Your surgeon will give you more information about the operation.

The nurses on the ward will help you to lie in a fairly upright position, supported by pillows. This helps to reduce swelling in your neck area.

You will probably have some pain or discomfort. Your doctor will prescribe painkillers for you. Tell your doctor or nurse about any pain you have. Your neck will feel stiff after surgery. Your nurse, surgeon or physiotherapist will show you some neck exercises to help with this.

You may have a drip (intravenous infusion) going into your arm to replace your body’s fluids. You should be able to start drinking an hour or so after your operation. You may find it painful to swallow at first. This should improve over the next two or three days.

You may also have 1 or 2 tubes (drains) to drain fluid from your wound. These are usually removed within 24 to 48 hours.

After surgery to remove a parathyroid gland, the level of calcium in your blood may become low. It can take 2 or 3 days for the calcium level to go back to normal after surgery.

You will have regular blood tests to check your calcium levels. If the level is too low, your doctor will prescribe extra calcium. You usually have the calcium as tablets, or sometimes you have it by injection into a vein (intravenously). Your doctor may also prescribe vitamin D supplements, to help your body absorb calcium from the food you eat.

You will probably have some small scars on your neck after the operation. These usually fade as they heal.

Rarely, surgery can damage a nerve in the neck. This can cause hoarseness or problems with how you swallow. If this happens, your doctor or specialist nurse will talk to you about how long these effects may last. Very rarely, you may need support from a speech and language therapist who can help with swallowing problems.

You may have a drip (intravenous infusion) going into your arm to replace your body’s fluids. You should be able to start drinking an hour or so after your operation. You may find it painful to swallow at first. This should improve over the next 2 or 3 days.

You may also have 1 or 2 tubes (drains) to remove fluid from your wound. These are usually taken out within 24 to 48 hours.

After surgery to remove a parathyroid gland, the level of calcium in your blood may become low. It can take 2 or 3 days for the calcium level to go back to normal after surgery.

You will have regular blood tests to check your calcium levels. If the level is too low, your doctor will give you extra calcium. You usually have the calcium as tablets, or sometimes by injection into a vein (intravenously). Your doctor may also give you vitamin D supplements, to help your body absorb calcium from the food you eat.

You will have a small scar on your neck after the operation. This usually fades as it heals.

Rarely, surgery can damage a nerve in the neck. This can cause hoarseness or problems with swallowing. If this happens, your doctor or specialist nurse will talk to you about how long these effects may last. Very rarely, you may need support from a speech and language therapist who can help with swallowing problems.