REVIEWS   

Minerva Endocrinologica 2001 June;26(2):59-64

Copyright © 2001 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Parathyroid carcinoma. A concise review

Rubello D., Casara D., Dwamena B. A., Shapiro B.

Parathyroid carcinoma is a very rare malignancy and the least common among endocrine malignat tumors. Its etiology is still unclear and some hypotheses have been suggested: previous external radiation to the neck, pregression from benign to malignant lesion, familial hyperparathyroidism. An early accurate diagnosis is very important since surgery is the most effective therapeutic approach to parathyroid carcinoma. Prognosis is quite variable and stress is laid on the early diagnosis and radical surgery which seem to be most favorable prognostic factors. An accurate follow-up should include frequent measurements of serum calcium and PTH levels to promptly detect recurrence or metastases which are usually associated with severe hyeprcalcemia.