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Abnormal bone and parathyroid histology in carcinoma patients with pseudohyperparathyroidism
Author(s) -
Sharp Charles F.,
Rude Robert K.,
Terry Roger,
Singer Frederick R.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19820401)49:7<1449::aid-cncr2820490723>3.0.co;2-v
Subject(s) - medicine , bone resorption , parathyroid hormone , histology , parathyroid carcinoma , stromal cell , endocrinology , resorption , hyperparathyroidism , pathology , calcium
Postmortem bone and parathyroid gland histology in nine hypercalcemic cancer patients without bone metastases was compared to bone and parathyroid histology in ten normocalcemic patients. Parameters of parathyroid function, including serum immunoreactive parathyroid hormone, acid base status, serum phosphate, and nephrogenous cyclic AMP were measured in the hypercalcemic group and compared to normals and to patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Bone histology in all nine hypercalcemic cancer patients showed increased osteoclastic bone resorption and increased fibrous connective tissue in the bone marrow. Parathyroid glands were of normal size in all nine patients but contained little or no fat, one criterion of parathyroid hyperplasia. In the normocalcemic cancer patients only 2/10 had minimally increased bone resorption while 7/10 had decreased or absent stromal fat in the parathyroid glands. Despite the hyperplastic appearance of the parathyroid glands, serum biochemical parameters in the hypercalcemic cancer patients indicate a state of suppressed parathyroid function suggesting that the osteoclastic bone resorption is related to a humoral substance elaborated by the tumors which is distinct from parathyroid hormone.