Types of cells in the parathyroid gland, and common location of ectopic parathyroid tissue
Cheif Cells - secrete PTH
Oxyphil cells - unclear major function, can secrete PTH-rp, and calcitriol.
Ectopic mediastinal parathyroid tissue in 1-5% of people.
Where is PTH secreted, and where is does it get converted to active form?
What are the causes of hypercalcemia?
90% of cases:
Other causes
Frequencies of the different causes of primary hyperparathyroidism
Clinical presentation of parathyroid secretory adenoma
Most often results in asymptomatic hypercalcemia; however, may present with consequences of increased PTE1 and hypercalcemia such as
Laboratory findings
MEN-1, MEN-2, MEN-3 syndromes
Basic, shared characteristics
Tumors occur at a younger age than that typical for sporadic cancers.
They arise in multiple endocrine organs, either synchronously or metachronously.
Even in one organ, the tumors often are multifocal.
The tumors usually are preceded by an asymptomatic stage of endocrine hyperplasia involving the cell of origin of the tumor (for example, patients with MEN-2 almost universally demonstrate C cell hyperplasia in the thyroid parenchyma adjacent to medullary thyroid carcinomas).
These tumors are usually more aggressive and recur in a
higher proportion of cases than similar endocrine tumors
that occur sporadically.
MEN-1 gene locus and function
11q13, a tumor suppressor.
MEN-1 affected organs
3 p’s
parathyroid, pancreas, and pituitary
Parathyroid: primary hyperparathyroidism, is most common MEN-1 symptom. Causes both hyperplasia and adenoma.
Pancreas: Pancreatic malignant tumors are the main cause of death. Zollinger-ellison syndrome from gastinomas and insulinomas.
Pituitary: Prolactinoma macroadenomas mainly, sometimes GH-adenomas and acromegaly.
MEN-2
Both caused by mutations to the 10q11.2 locus
All patients with detected mutations are advised to have prophylactic thyroidectomy to prevent medullary thyroid carcinoma.
MEN-2A:
MEN-2B
Symptoms of hyperPTHism
Tests/diagnosis for hyperparathyroidism
Treatment
Surgery:
indicated if there are overt clinical symptoms, age under 50 years, hypercalcemia, excessive urinary excretion, declining bone mineral density, significant co-morbidities, patients request.
Observation
Treatments for hypercalcemia
Fluid intake increase-3-4 L phys. NaCl infusion/day+ Furosemide 80-160mg/die SeMg! K!, saline infusions, plus diuretic, selectively drop calcium
Steroid - 40-100mg prednisolon/die (best in certain lymphomas, and granulomatous diseases)
Inhibition of bone resorption and osteoclast activity - Calcitonin sc or im. 4-8 IU/kg 4x/die for 2 days ,- Bisphosphonates( for malignancy): pamidronate 30mg infusion/die for 3 days or zoledronate 4mg effective for- 4-6 weeks(kidney!)
Gallium nitrate (inhibition of PTHsecretion and osteoclast activity) effective in 70% of malignant cases for 10-14 days
Cinacalcet (calcimimetic drug, affects on Ca-senzing receptor) p.os 30-180mg/die for inoperable parathyroid diseases