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A case series on parathyroid carcinoma: Diagnostic challenges and therapeutic approaches

Nathaniel Grabill, Mena Louis, N. Machado, Pierpont Brown, Ezra Ellis, Sumi So

International journal of surgery case reports, 2024

7 citations

Abstract

Introduction Parathyroid carcinoma is an exceptionally rare endocrine malignancy, constituting <1 % of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) cases. It presents with more severe hypercalcemia and higher PTH levels than benign parathyroid diseases, requiring increased clinical awareness for accurate identification and specialized management. The results of this case series may provide insight into the clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, surgical management, and prognosis of parathyroid carcinoma, supplemented by a comprehensive review of current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Methods We retrospectively reviewed three cases of parathyroid carcinoma treated at a tertiary referral hospital. We analyzed patient demographics, clinical presentation, imaging studies, surgical interventions, histopathological findings, and follow-up data. We emphasized intraoperative decisions, criteria for achieving sustained hormonal control, and long-term monitoring protocols. Results Patient 1: An 84-year-old male patient presented with severe hypercalcemia and elevated PTH levels. Preoperative imaging, including 4D CT and sestamibi scan, identified a 3.7 cm, 9.32-gram parathyroid mass, which was surgically resected. Despite removing the mass and normalizing calcium levels, PTH levels remained elevated, suggesting residual disease. Patient 2: A 77-year-old male patient with osteoporosis and a history of kidney stones underwent presurgical parathyroid scintigraphy, which indicated a…

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