Parathyroid carcinoma uncovering the enigma: Case report and review of literature

• Main Authors: Palash K Mandal, Sumit Ray, Nandita Basu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2011-01-01
• Series: Journal of Cytology
• Subjects: Hypercalcemia; hyperparathyroidism; parathyroid carcinoma
• Online Access: http://www.jcytol.org/article.asp?issn=0970-9371;year=2011;volume=28;issue=4;spage=223;epage=225;aulast=Mandal

Parathyroid carcinoma is a very rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. Pre-operative diagnosis remains a challenge. We report a case referred for a suspicious goiter with a poor general condition associated with hypercalcemia. Cytological findings attributed it to a possible parathyroid neoplasm that must be considered in the differential diagnosis of a nodular thyroid mass by the cytopathologist. Serum parathormone levels were correlated and the patient underwent surgery. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma. There can be a major pitfall, as it may appear indistinguishable from a benign adenoma.