Parathyroid carcinoma: case report

Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare entity, representing less than 1% to 5% of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Parathyroid carcinomas are often symptomatic, have markedly elevated calcium levels, have palpable masses, are equally distributed between the sexes, and present 10 years younger than their benign counterparts. Parathyroid carcinoma is often undiagnosed preoperatively, suspected intraoperatively, and only confirmed postoperatively. When diagnosed, the treatment of choice is an en-bloc resection of the tumor.