Resumen

VASALLO, Miguel; APONTE, María Eugenia; SANCHEZ, Freddy  y  EICHELBAUM, E. Cáncer de paratiroides. Rev. venez. oncol. [online]. 2006, vol.18, n.1, pp.38-42. ISSN 0798-0582.

OBJECTIVES: Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare endocrine tumor that is usually diagnosed in the fourth decade of life. It is responsible for less than 1 % of cases of primary hyperparathyroidism. METHODS: We present clinical, radiological and pathological findings in a patient with diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma. Superior left parathyroidectomy and left thyroid lobectomy was performed. Clinical outcome during a two year follow up is also discussed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Parathyroid carcinoma produces parathyroid hormone which is the cause of the hypercalcemia, renal disorders and skeletal abnormalities. These elements must raise the suspicion of a carcinoma specially because benign diseases of the parathyroid gland may have similar histologic features. Diagnosis is frequently confirmed by local invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastatic disease, local recurrence, severe hypercalcemia of more than 14 miligrams per deciliter, cervical mass or vocal cord infltration with unilateral paralysis.

Palabras clave : Cancer; parathyroid gland; primary hyperparathyroidism; hypercalcemia.