Severe hyperparathyroidism versus parathyroid carcinoma : a clinical dilemma

Abstract EN

No clinical or laboratory data allow a preoperative diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma and only occasionally does a definitive finding differentiate an adenoma from a carcinoma.

We present a case of primary hyperparathyroidism presenting with severe elevation of parathyroid hormone and serum calcium as well as complications.

We go on to discuss the case in the light of a literature review.

The severity of the elevation of the parathyroid hormone, other biochemical alterations, the presence of skeletal and renal complications and of a neck mass should alert the clinician to a possible parathyroid carcinoma.

Radical surgery is the only effective therapy for parathyroid carcinoma, and should always be performed if a preoperative suspicion is entertained.