What are the tests for parathyroid cancer?

Start with blood: A parathyroid tumor will announce itself as a high serum calcium on routine lab work with or without a neck mass that rises on swallowing. Without, the high calcium will prompt imaging studies in search of neck or nearby mass. This will be excised. 1 in 1000 people needs a parathyroid tumor removed but the large majority are benign and many parathyroid cancers are cured by the surger.

Calcium and surgery: Parathyroid cancer is very very rare. Usually patients have very high calcium levels, sometimes dangerously high. Parathyroid cancers may not be diagnosed until a biopsy is done during surgery.