BACKGROUND: Association of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and hyperparathyroidism (HPT) has not been clearly defined. The incidence of PTC in different types of HPT and necropsy or patients submitted to thyroidectomy in the same region is analyzed to verify if this association is casual or not. METHODS: Data of 222 consecutive patients operated for HPT were reviewed and incidence of PTC was defined. Patients were analyzed as primary HPT (107) and secondary (115). The incidence of PTC was compared to that found in necropsy and to that observed in 89 patients with compressive multinodular goiter submitted to thyroidectomy. Statistical analysis included Fisher's exact test and Student's t test. RESULTS: Pathology reports were available in 103 cases of primary HPT, and in 10 patients PTC was detected (9.7%). In 111 secondary HPT patients, PTC was found in three (2.7%), with statistical significant difference between primary and secondary HPT (p=0.04). This difference was also significant of the 1% incidence of PTC found in necropsy in the same area (p=0.0001). No difference was observed in relation to the incidence of 11.2% of PTC found in patients operated for compressive goiter. Tumor characteristics were not statistically different, although multicentricity was detected in 80% of PTC of patients with primary HPT. CONCLUSION: The incidence of PTC was elevated in patients with primary HPT, in relation to necropsy or secondary HPT cases.
Hyperparathyroidism; Thyroid gland neoplasms; Thyroidectomy; Parathyroidectomy
