Primary hyperparathyroidism: a retrospective study over 18 years in an oncology center

Abstract

Aim: To study primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) in an oncology center, including its possible association with malignancy and ionizing radiation. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 188 patients with sporadic pHPT treated with parathyroidectomy between 2000 and 2018. We studied the etiology, clinical and biochemical features of pHPT, history of malignancies and exposure to radiotherapy. Results: pHPT was caused by parathyroid adenoma in 90.4%, hyperplasia in 5.3% and carcinoma in 4.3%. Cure and recurrence rates of pHPT were 99 and 4.3%, respectively. Median follow-up time was 19 months. Prevalence of malignancies was 30%, mostly thyroid and breast cancer. Radiotherapy of the head, neck or thorax (8.5%) was not associated with worse hypercalcaemia or recurrence. Males had larger adenomas, higher calcium and parathyroid hormone (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Prevalence of parathyroid carcinoma and other malignancies was higher than reported in other studies. Ionizing radiation exposure was unrelated with pHPT severity. Men had more severe pHPT. High cure and low recurrence rates were achieved.