[Diagnostic-therapeutic management of parathyroid carcinoma]

Parathyroid carcinoma is an uncommon endocrine malignancy, with difficult diagnosis. There are several presenting clinical and biochemical features that suggest it: much higher serum calcium and PTH levels than parathyroid adenomas, symptoms of severe hypercalcemia, the classical target organs affected and a palpable neck mass. Pathologic findings, local invasion, lymph node and distant metastases prove the diagnosis. Initial surgical therapy (en bloc dissection) is the only chance for cure it. The management of recurrent and/or metastatic parathyroid carcinoma is also surgical, resulting in significant palliation from hypercalcemia, whereas radiation therapy and chemotherapy are not helpful. Bisphosphonates (drugs that inhibit bone resorption) control acute and chronic hypercalcemia when surgery is not effective or possible. Preoperative localization studies (cervical ultrasound, CT scan, MRI and sestamibi scan) are useful in patients with recurrent or persistent parathyroid cancer.