[An autopsy case of parathyroid carcinoma with primary hyperparathyroidism]

An autopsy case of a 72-year-old woman who was determined as having had a parathyroid carcinoma with primary hyperparathyroidism is reported. On autopsy, a tumor, measuring 6 X 3 X 2 cm, was found beneath the left lobe of the thyroid gland, adherent to the left recurrent nerve and the trachea, though there was no metastasis evident. The tumor was found to be lobulated on cross section inspection. Histologically, the tumor cells were arranged in trabecular and in solid patterns with fibrous bands. A few tumor cells showed mitosis. Invasions to the capsules and the blood vessels were found present. Immunohistochemically, the parathyroid hormone was found positive in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells. Otitis fibrosa generalisata, metastatic calcification, acute pancreatitis, and core pulmonale also were observed.