Tumors of Parathyroid Glands

Abstract

Parathyroid glands are small endocrine glands found in the neck which secrete parathyroid hormone or parathormone (PTH) which has a combined role together with calcitonin and vitamin D in regulating levels of calcium and phosphate concentrations in humans. The most common disease of parathyroid glands is increased and uncontrolled secretion of PTH which is defined as primary hyperthyroidism, if it is offset as a result of intensified function of one or more parathyroid glands, or as secondary hyperparathyroidism which is mostly caused by chronic kidney insufficiency or by vitamin D deficiency. Carcinoma of parathyroid glands is a rare disease and one of the rarest malignant endocrine tumors. Frequency of carcinoma in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism is less than 1%. Best treatment for patients with this primary lesion is intraoperative recognition of the tumor by surgeons, adequate resections with removal of primary lesion, and histopathological verification.