Parathyroid Atypical Adenomas and Carcinoma: An Update on Clinical Management

Primary hyperparathyroidism is a common endocrine disorder mostly due to the presence of an adenoma/single-gland disease. Multiple gland disease or hyperplasia accounts for 10-15% of cases of primary hyperparathyroidism while atypical parathyroid adenoma and parathyroid carcinoma are rare, both responsible for about 1.2-1.3% and 1% or less of primary hyperparathyroidism, respectively. Both atypical parathyroid adenomas and, even more frequently, parathyroid carcinomas are usually presenting with severe hypercalcemia, very high PTH levels, larger volume of parathyroid neoplasia. Prognosis of these tumors mainly depends on early detection and a radical surgical treatment. A strict and continued follow-up is mandatory in order to detect relapse or metastasis . However, over the past few decades there has been no significant trend toward detecting the disease at an earlier stage, with no significant change in patient survival.
The aim of this project will be to present new molecular aspects of these tumors as well as novelty on the genetic profile, the imaging studies, the medical treatment and the surgical techniques.
This Research Topic encourages the contribution of a range of article types, addressing the following aspects of atypical adenomas and parathyroid carcinomas:
· Genetics and molecular aspects;
· Environmental influence;
· Early diagnosis;
· Imaging studies and new technologies;
· Surgical techniques and treatment;
· Medical treatment; and
· Follow-up.