View clinical trials related to Parathyroid Neoplasms.
Filter by:Occasionally tumors of the parathyroid gland cannot be detected by standard x-ray diagnostic procedures (CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds). In order for the tumor to be removed surgically it must first be localized. To do this often requires a procedure known as parathyroid arteriography and parathyroid venous sampling. This procedure begins by placing a catheter through a blood vessel in the groin. The catheter is then guided through blood vessels to reach the area of the neck. The blood vessels in this region flow in and out of the thyroid and parathyroid. An X-ray dye is then injected through the catheter into the arteries of the thyroid/parathyroid (parathyroid arteriography). The alternative is taking a small sample of the veins found in this same region (parathyroid venous sampling). Researchers prefer parathyroid arteriography because it causes less discomfort to the patient and requires less experience to do the procedure. However, parathyroid arteriography provides positive results in only 50% of patients undergoing the procedure. Parathyroid venous sampling provides greater amounts of positive results but the readings are often imprecise. Parathyroid tissue secretes a hormone known as PTH (parathyroid hormone). The release of PTH is stimulated by low levels of calcium in the blood. The idea behind the study is to inject a dye into the area of the parathyroid that will cause a release of PTH. Several parathyroid venous samplings will be taken following the abrupt elevation of PTH. This will provide information on the effectiveness of an intraarterial hypocalcemic stimulus (injection of dye into the arteries of the parathyroid when calcium blood levels are low) and venous sampling as techniques to improve localizing parathyroid tumors.
Observational Phase: Patients whose parathyroid activity is elevated above normal are referred to as having hyperparathyroidism. This study will help researchers better understand the causes of hyperparathyroidism and to evaluate and improve methods for diagnosis and treatment. Patients diagnosed with or suspected of having hyperparathyroidism will be selected to participate. In addition, patients with related conditions, such as parathyroid tumors, will also be selected. Subjects will be asked to provide blood and urine for testing to confirm their condition. They will then be surgically treated by removal of the parathyroid gland(s) (parathyroidectomy). Subjects with parathyroid tumors will undergo several diagnostic tests to determine the exact location of the tumor as well as the tumor's activity. The tests may include; ultrasounds, nuclear scanning, CT scans, MRI, and specialized blood testing. Sometimes parathyroidectomy leads to hypoparathyroidism. Options for treating the patients after the surgical procedure will also be addressed. Calcium and Vitamin D supplements are typically the mainstay of post parathyroidectomy therapy. Other potential treatments include transplanting the parathyroid gland(s) to other areas of the body. Clinical Trial: An imaging substudy was added to this protocol in 2018. Patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) will have 68Gallium-Dotatate Positron Emission Tomography (PET) - Computed Tomography (CT), 18F-DOPA PET/CT, MRI, and CT scans and the number of lesions detected by each of these types of scans will be compared.