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Is parathyroid carcinoma indeed a lethal disease?
Kenneth P Kleinpeter1, James F Lovato, Paige B Clark
1Department of General Surgery, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA.
Annals of Surgical Oncology
|April 14, 2005
Summary
Long-term survival is achievable for parathyroid carcinoma patients. Despite its rarity, death from parathyroid carcinoma is uncommon, suggesting a need for a staging system.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare endocrine malignancy with variable aggressiveness.
- Currently, no established staging system exists for parathyroid carcinoma.
- Understanding presentation, diagnosis, surgical treatment, and outcomes is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical presentation of parathyroid carcinoma.
- To analyze diagnostic methods and surgical treatment strategies.
- To assess patient outcomes and determine the incidence of parathyroid carcinoma-related death.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 23 parathyroid carcinoma cases from 1975 to 2004.
- Histological confirmation of diagnosis.
- Analysis of clinical, radiological, and surgical data, with statistical evaluation.
Main Results:
- Median survival was 22 years; 5- and 10-year survival rates were 85.9% and 69.4%.
- En-bloc resection showed high survival rates (90% at 5 years, 67.5% at 10 years).
- Death attributed to parathyroid carcinoma occurred in 3 of 10 cases; imaging had limited concordance in recurrent disease.
Conclusions:
- Long-term survival is feasible in patients with parathyroid carcinoma.
- Mortality directly related to parathyroid carcinoma is infrequent.
- Development of a staging system for this rare cancer is warranted.