Primary hyperparathyroidism associated with hypernephroma: a diagnostic challenge

During the past 16 years, in which 1,600 patients were surgically treated for primary hyperparathyroidism, 10 of these patients also were operated on for hypernephroma; in another patient a hypernephroma was detected 7 2/3 years after treatment for hyperparathyroidism. Four additional patients have elevated serum calcium and immunoreactive parathyroid hormone values after nephrectomy for hypernephroma, and a provisional diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism has been made in these patients. Thus, the occurrence in the same patient of two disorders that may have similar biochemical abnormalities produced by similar pathophysiologic mechanisms provides a unique diagnostic challenge to the physician. The correct diagnosis of these occasionally associated disorders is facilitated by a high degree of alertness and the performance of adequate renal radiographic procedures. These should include excretory urography in patients with persistent hypercalcemia unless the procedure is contraindicated.