Parathyroid carcinoma coexisting with multiple parathyroid adenomas: a case report

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Oncology
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Primary hyperparathyroidism is typically caused by parathyroid adenoma.
• Parathyroid carcinoma is an infrequent cause of primary hyperparathyroidism.

Observation:

• A 74-year-old female presented with primary hyperparathyroidism and a suspected thyroid tumor.
• Neck imaging revealed multiple parathyroid lesions, with one heterogeneous mass suspicious for malignancy.
• Preoperative diagnosis was multiple parathyroid adenoma and suspected incidental thyroid carcinoma.

Findings:

• Histopathological diagnosis confirmed parathyroid carcinoma coexisting with multiple parathyroid adenomas.
• The patient showed no recurrence one year post-surgery.
• Preoperative diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma proved challenging.

Implications:

• This case underscores the rarity of parathyroid carcinoma coexisting with parathyroid adenomas.
• Careful follow-up is crucial due to potential associations with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 (MEN1).
• Diagnostic difficulties highlight the need for advanced imaging and pathological evaluation.