Hyperfunctioning carcinoma of the parathyroid gland.

Carcinoma of the parathyroid gland is rare, constituting about 1% of most series of patients with hyperparathyroidism. In 1969 a collective review identified forty-six unequivocal cases, and since then a further seven cases have been described in the literature. A brief review of the condition is presented, and one further case of hyperfunctioning adenocarcinoma of the parathyroid gland is reported in detail. Primary treatment is discussed, together with postoperative biochemical problems, and the therapeutic manoeuvres available to deal with recurrences are presented.