© 2005-2012 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). All rights reserved worldwide.
This section has been reviewed and approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 11/2012
Symptoms and Signs A person with a parathyroid tumor may experience the following symptoms or signs. Sometimes, a person with a parathyroid tumor does not show any of these symptoms. The doctor may diagnose a problem if a blood test shows an increased level of calcium in the blood, a condition called hypercalcemia. The symptoms listed below may also be caused by a medical condition that is not a tumor. If you are concerned about a symptom or sign on this list, please talk with your doctor.
- Bone pain
- Kidney problems, including pain in the upper back and excessive urination
- Stomach pain
- History of gastroduodenal (stomach and/or small intestines) ulcers
- Weakness
- Difficulty speaking
- Vomiting
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- A lump in the neck
- Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
- Malaise (general feeling of discomfort or illness)
Your doctor will ask you questions about the symptoms you are experiencing to help find out the cause of the problem, called a diagnosis. This may include how long you’ve been experiencing the symptom(s) and how often.
If a tumor is diagnosed, relieving symptoms and side effects remains an important part of care and treatment. This may also be called symptom management, palliative care, or supportive care. Be sure to talk with your health care team about symptoms you experience, including any new symptoms or a change in symptoms.