Sporadic Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism is a common endocrinopathy, particularly afflicting postmenopausal women and both African American men and women. Although classic signs and symptoms of the disease are well appreciated and described, because of the ease and availability and low threshold for screening, the disorder often is diagnosed in patients who are minimally symptomatic or asymptomatic. Surgery conducted by experienced endocrine surgeons has a high cure rate, particularly if guided by concordant imaging. In patients who cannot safely undergo surgery or who fail to be cured, medical therapy with the oral calcimimetic cinacalcet is a validated option for controlling serum calcium levels.