Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 21, 2025

Modeling Primary Bone Tumors and Bone Metastasis with Solid Tumor Graft Implantation into Bone
Published on: September 9, 2020
A brown tumor secondary to hyperparathyroidism in the maxilla, skull, scapula, and femora
Alison Psaila1, Luca Conti2, Alexander P Azzopardi3
1Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and General Medicine, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta.
Abstract:
Primary hyperparathyroidism presenting with diffuse skeletal involvement, such as discrete osteoclastic bone lesions, is rare. We describe a 35-year-old woman who presented with a left mandibular mass that rapidly enlarged over 3 weeks. Radiological, histological, and biochemical investigations led to the diagnosis of brown tumor secondary to primary hyperparathyroidism. A neck ultrasound revealed a 1.5 × 2.3 × 4.6 cm mass at the lower pole of the left thyroid lobe, suggestive of a parathyroid adenoma. Bone scan showed additional abnormal foci of increased uptake in the maxilla, both femora, skull, and scapula. Brown tumors are treated primarily by correcting the underlying endocrine disorder, and a parathyroidectomy was performed.
Related Concept Videos
The Parathyroid Glands
Oxyphil cells, whose functions remain elusive, emerge during late puberty, adding a layer of complexity to the parathyroid gland's intricacies. In contrast, principal parathyroid cells undertake a vital role by...
Bone Remodeling
Hormones and Bone Tissue
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...

