Diagnosis and Treatment > Signs and Symptoms
Search for other papers by Marina Tsoli in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Anna Angelousi in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Dimitra Rontogianni in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Constantine Stratakis in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Gregory Kaltsas in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
Parathyroid carcinoma is an extremely rare endocrine malignancy that accounts for less than 1% of cases of primary hyperparathyroidism. We report a 44-year-old woman who presented with fatigue and diffuse bone pain. Laboratory findings revealed highly elevated serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and a 4.5 × 3 × 2.5 cm cystic lesion in the lower pole of the right thyroid lobe that was shown histologically to be a parathyroid carcinoma. Ten years later, the patient developed brain and pulmonary metastases and recurrence of PTH-related hypercalcemia. Treatment of hypercalcemia along with localized radiotherapy and various chemotherapy regimens failed to induce a biochemical or radiological response. In conclusion, parathyroid carcinoma is a rare neoplasia that may develop metastases even after prolonged follow-up, for which there is no evidence-based treatment besides surgery. Different chemotherapeutic schemes did not prove to be of any benefit in our case highlighting the need for registering such patients to better understand tumor biology and develop specific treatment.
Learning points:
-
Metastases can develop many years after parathyroid cancer diagnosis.
-
Surgery is the only curative treatment for parathyroid carcinoma.
-
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy prove to be ineffective in parathyroid cancer treatment.
-
Patient registering is required in order to delineate underlining pathology and offer specific treatment.
Search for other papers by K Nadarasa in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by M Bailey in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by H Chahal in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by O Raja in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by R Bhat in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by C Gayle in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by A B Grossman in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by M R Druce in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
We present the case of a patient with metastatic parathyroid carcinoma whose hypercalcaemia was medically managed through two pregnancies. The diagnosis was made when the patient presented with chronic knee pain and radiological findings consistent with a brown tumour, at the age of 30. Her corrected calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were significantly elevated. Following localisation studies, a right parathyroidectomy was performed with histology revealing parathyroid carcinoma, adherent to thyroid tissue. Aged 33, following biochemical recurrence of disease, the patient underwent a second operation. A subsequent CT and FDG–PET revealed bibasal pulmonary metastases. Aged 35, the patient was referred to our unit for treatment of persistent hypercalcaemia. The focus of treatment at this time was debulking metastatic disease using radiofrequency ablation. Despite advice to the contrary, the patient conceived twice while taking cinacalcet. Even though there are limited available data regarding the use of cinacalcet in pregnancy, both pregnancies continued to term with the delivery of healthy infants, using intensive medical management for persistent hypercalcaemia.
Learning points
-
Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism.
-
Hypercalcaemia during pregnancy can result in significant complications for both the mother and the foetus.
-
The use of high-dose cinacalcet in pregnancy has been shown, in this case, to aid in the management of resistant hypercalcaemia without teratogenicity.
