Nonfunctional parathyroid carcinoma

• Published in: Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology Vol. 136; no. 7; pp. 969 - 974
• Main Authors: Gao, Wen Chao, Ruan, Can Ping, Zhang, Jun Chu, Liu, Hui Min, Xu, Xin Yun, Sun, Yan Ping, Wang, Qiang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Berlin/Heidelberg : Springer-Verlag 01.07.2010; Springer-Verlag; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Antineoplastic agents; Biological and medical sciences; Cancer; Cancer Research; Endocrine system; Endocrinopathies; Hematology; Humans; Internal Medicine; Male; Malignant tumors; Medical diagnosis; Medical prognosis; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Nonfunctioning; Oncology; Original Paper; Parathyroid Neoplasms - diagnosis; Parathyroid Neoplasms - surgery; Parathyroid tumor; Parathyroids. Parafollicular cells. Cholecalciferol. Phosphocalcic homeostasis (diseases); Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Nonfunctioning; Parathyroid tumor; Endocrinopathy; Parathyroid diseases; Parathyroid cancer; Malignant tumor; Cancer; Parathyroid carcinoma
• ISSN: 0171-5216; 1432-1335
• DOI: 10.1007/s00432-009-0740-z

Purpose Nonfunctional parathyroid carcinoma (PTC) is one of the rarest malignant diseases and only nine cases have been reported during the last 23 years. We present a case of nonfunctioning PTC and review the literature in an effort to provide a better understanding of this rare disorder. Methods One patient with nonfunctioning PTC was presented, detailing the clinical features, histologic findings, diagnosis, and treatment. Together with data from the other nine cases reported last 23 years, the related literature is also reviewed. Results The presented case was a 47-year-old man with a 2-month history of an enlarging painless cervical mass followed by a 2-week history of hoarseness. Clinical and laboratory evaluations failed to reveal evidence of hyperparathyroidism. Pathological analysis of the resected tumor disclosed findings consistent with PTC. The nonsecretory state of the tumor was further supported by immunoreactivity for parathyroid hormone in tissue, and normal serum levels of this peptide and calcium preoperatively and postoperatively. Conclusion Most nonfunctional PTC is detected late due to a paucity of symptoms, of which a palpable neck mass is the most common. Patients with nonfunctioning PTC appear to have a poorer prognosis than do those with functioning parathyroid cancers.