Parathyroid Carcinoma

Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is a rare endocrine malignancy that arises from the parathyroid glands. It is associated with hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemia. The majority of parathyroid tumors are benign, but PC can be aggressive and challenging to treat. Genetic mutations, particularly in the HRPT2 gene, are implicated in both sporadic and familial forms of the disease. PC can be part of syndromes such as MEN1, MEN2A, and hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome. Diagnosis often relies on clinical presentation, biochemical tests, imaging studies, and histopathological examination. Surgical resection is the primary treatment, with en bloc resection being the preferred approach to ensure complete removal. Recurrence is common, and long-term monitoring is essential. Adjunctive treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy have limited effectiveness. Prognostic factors include tumor size, extent of invasion, and completeness of surgical resection.