An Unusual Simultaneous Existence of Parathyroid Carcinoma and Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Synchronous parathyroid and papillary thyroid carcinoma are extremely rare. To our knowledge, only 15 cases have been reported in the last four decades. We describe a 50-year-old female without significant past medical or family history and no previous trauma presented with left heel pain that prompted her to seek medical attention. Physical examination was notable for a painless nodule at the left thyroid lobe. Laboratory evaluation showed a serum calcium level of 14.3 mg/dL (8.6–10.3 mg/dL) and intact parathyroid hormone level of 1160 pg/mL (12–88 pg/mL). 99Tc-sestamibi dual-phase with single-photon emission computed tomography fused images showed increased uptake at the left-sided inferior parathyroid gland. Neck ultrasound showed a 1.4 cm heterogeneous nodule in the middle-third of the left thyroid gland and a solitary 1.9 cm vascularized and hypoechoic oval nodule that was considered likely to represent a parathyroid adenoma. Due to its clinical context (severe hypercalcemia and very high levels of PTH), parathyroid carcinoma (PC) was suspected although imaging studies were not characteristic. The patient underwent en bloc resection of the parathyroid mass and left thyroid lobe and central neck compartment dissection. Pathology analysis revealed classical papillary thyroid carcinoma of classical subtype and parathyroid carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for cyclidin D1 and negative for parafibromin. High clinical suspicion is required for parathyroid carcinoma diagnosis in the presence of very high level of parathyroid hormone, marked hypercalcemia, and the existence of any thyroid nodule should be approached and the coexistence of other carcinomas should be considered.