Primary hyperparathyroidism

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Illness caused by the parathyroid glands

Primarily because the cause lies in the parathyroid glands themselves. In 85 percent of cases, one of the glands has developed into an adenoma, an autonomous, benign tumour. In almost 15 per cent of cases, several glands are affected, which is referred to as hyperplasia. In less than one per cent of cases, it is a malignant tumour of a parathyroid gland.

In the case of an adrenal adenoma, an operation to remove the adenoma is now generously recommended. Generously, because the risks are low, but the patient will benefit greatly in terms of their health once their blood calcium is permanently back within the normal range. In asymptomatic patients with only slightly elevated calcium levels, it may also be sufficient to wait.

In the case of multi-gland disease being the cause of high parathyroid hormone levels, doctors look for rare genetic diseases in which several endocrine glands in the body develop benign or malignant tumours. Here too, the affected parathyroid glands are usually surgically removed. However, doctors always leave part of it in the body, as it would be difficult totally without parathyroid hormone.

Whether a parathyroid adenoma is in fact a carcinoma can only be determined after the operation during a histological examination of the altered parathyroid gland. In this case, surgeons also remove the same-sided thyroid lobe and lymph nodes.

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