CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, Vol 26, 66-74, Copyright
© 1976 by American Cancer Society
Hyperparathyroidism and Cancer
Hollon W. Farr M.D.1
1 Attending Surgeon, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Assistant Attending Surgeon, New York Hospital; and Associate Professor of Surgery, Cornell University Medical College, New York, New York.
The diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism is rapidly increasing in frequency due to better methods of detection. Laboratory studies have been simplified and made more accurate. Cervical exploration should now be considered an integral part of the diagnostic workup, as it is safe and 95 percent successful in correcting the disorder.
One-third of patients were found to have cancer, one-third a benign unrelated tumor and one-third a benign tumor of hyperparathyroidism itself. Differential diagnosis may be difficult, but the rewards are gratifying.
While delay in confirming a diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism has been reduced from years to weeks, the clinical investigation of these patients continues to be unduly prolonged and treatment postponed. Progressive renal damage and shortened life span associated with this disorder have been well documented.
