Parathyroid carcinoma and atypical parathyroid tumor: analysis of an Italian database.

This article focuses on a retrospective multicenter study comparing atypical parathyroid tumors (aPTs) and parathyroid carcinomas (PCs), two rare parathyroid neoplasms accounting for less than 2% of all parathyroid tumors. Analyzing data from 15 Italian endocrinology centers, the study found substantial overlap in clinical and biochemical features between aPTs and PCs, including similar elevated parathyroid hormone and serum calcium levels. However, PCs exhibited a higher frequency of renal complications, such as renal colic, and significantly greater rates of postoperative disease persistence and recurrence, likely related to incomplete tumor resection or metastases. The study highlights the challenges in distinguishing aPTs from PCs preoperatively and underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to establish comprehensive national and European registries to improve understanding of these rare tumors’ epidemiology, prognosis, and management.