[Characteristic features of primary hyperparathyroidism caused by parathyroid cancer--based on 2 cases]

Two cases of women with primary hyperparathyroidism caused by parathyroid cancer were presented. The authors noticed the following characteristic features of primary hyperparathyroidism in the course of the cancer: rich clinical symptomatology usually in form of considerable bone destruction, renal stones and nephrocalcinosis, biochemically very high level of calcium, above 14-16 mg%, threatening with hypercalcemic crisis and considerably higher parathormone serum concentration even up to twenty times above the norm. Parathyroid cancer, more often than adenoma, is a stiff and large neck tumour accessible for palpation. There are no specific biochemical and imagining examination techniques to recognise beyond any doubt the cancer character of primary hyperparathyroidism before operation. The histopathological diagnosis of this cancer is difficult and is not usually done intraoperatively. The recurrences of the malignancy are typical and they require reoperations after stating places of relapse or metastases.