EIGHT CASES OF PARATHYROID CARCINOMA

Abstract

Parathyroid carcinoma is relatively rare. In recent two decades from 1978 to 1998, we have experienced eight surgical cases of parathyroid cancer. There were six primary cases and two recurrent cases in this entity. In primary cases, only two cases were definitely diagnosed as parathyroid carcinoma before operation, and only one case was diagnosed as parathyroid carcinoma intraoperatively. It is thought for parathyroid carcinomas that a malignant potential is high in patients having a huge tumor on the neck or those revealing extreme hypercalcemia, for whom we must be careful during operation to make an en-block resection possible, if it is necessary. Meanwhile, in recurrent cases, aggressive resection for the carcinoma should be chosen to avoid complications due to hypercalcemia.