CARCINOMA OF THE PARATHYROID WITH HYPERPARATHYROIDISM

Abstract

Carcinomas of the parathyroid glands are rare and, when present, not always functionally active. The authors report on a patient in which the radiologic finding of nephrocalcinosis first suggested a parathyroid tumor. Subsequent studies showed a blood Ca level of 18 mg. %, hypercalcuria, hypophosphatemia (2.7 mg.%), elevated phosphatase levels (13.6 Bodansky units) and osteitis fibrosa generalisata. As a result of renal injury, azotemia and acidosis developed. Following removal of the tumor, diagnosed as carcinoma, not greatly differentiated, and compatible with a parathyroid origin, the levels of serum Ca and P returned to normal with some improvement of the skeletal lesions. Signs of latent and manifest tetany developed post-operatively with serum Ca levels of 7.5 to 6 mg$). They were abolished after admn. of AT 10 and Ca lactate. The renal lesions remained unaffected by the removal of the tumor.