Tumoral calcinosis revisited: pathophysiology and treatment

In two renal failure patients, tumoral calcinoses were observed as a result of secondary hyperparathyroidism. The primary conservative therapy conducted with dietetic measures and phosphate-binding medication could not prevent the progression of the massive polytopic foci. Therefore, a subtotal parathyroidectomy was performed in one case, after which a rapid complete regression of the tumours was observed, with the exception of one location where the finding remained progressive. The second patient declined surgical intervention on the parathyroid gland. Therefore, the foci were only resected, whereby local recurrences were observed. Renal failure patients with tumoral calcinosis should undergo subtotal parathyroidectomy after initial conservative therapy. In view of the high risk of recurrence, local excision is a treatment procedure to be considered in exceptional cases only.