Radiation-associated hyperparathyroidism: a new syndrome?
Prinz, R.A.; Paloyan, E.; Lawrence, A.M.; Pickleman, J.R.; Braithwaite, S.; Brooks, M.H.
Surgery 82(3): 296-302
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0039-6060 PMID: 888094 Document Number: 117501
In a series of 89 patients operated for primary hyperparathyroidism in the last 12 yr, 27 (30%) had a history of radiation therapy to the head and neck for benign disease in infancy, childhood, adolescence or young adulthood: 13 male and 14 female patients. In 6 patients the total administered radiation dose was known to range between 300 and 750 rads (air). Thirteen patients had a single parathyroid adenoma and 14 had parathyroid hyperplasia or multiglandular disease. Thyroid carcinoma was associated with hyperparathyroidism in 4 patients, and 6 had benign thyroid tumors. No discernible thyroid abnormality was present in the other 17 patients. A history of radiation to the head and neck in a high proportion of patients with hyperparathyroidism, in conjunction with thyroid tumors and in the absence of thyroid pathology, suggests that exposure of the parathyroids to radiation may play an etiologic role in the development of hyperparathyroidism in some patients with this disease.