29. Parathyroid adenoma

Page created on March 30, 2019. Last updated on May 3, 2021 at 18:30

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Staining: HE

Organ: Parathyroid

Description:

The tumor is encapsulated. It is comprised of two types of cells:

  • Chief cells – pale cytoplasm
  • Oxyphilic cells – eosinophilic cytoplasm

The tumor cells show no atypia as this is a benign tumor. The tumor forms no structures. It also contains no adipose tissue, unlike the normal parathyroid gland.

Diagnosis: Parathyroid adenoma

Causes:

  • Sporadic
  • Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN)

Theory:

Parathyroid adenoma must be differentiated from parathyroid hyperplasia and parathyroid carcinoma during histological examination. Parathyroid adenoma has a rim of normal parenchyme surrounding it. If this was PTH hyperplasia no normal parenchyme would be seen. Also, in PTH adenoma is only one PTH gland enlarged while in hyperplasia all glands are enlarged.

The only thing that can differentiate parathyroid adenoma and carcinoma is the presence of metastasis; these two tumors look similar on histology.

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10 thoughts on “29. Parathyroid adenoma”

    1. If my teacher didn’t mention it it probably isn’t that important, but okay. I’ve added it.

  1. Hi 😊
    The eosinophilic cells are the chief cells
    The pale cells are the oxyphilic cells

      1. In theoretical exam topic 44 you wrote «They’re comprised of chief cells, eosinophilic cells that produce PTH, and oxyphil cells.». Also the teacher said this in class😅 maybe he mixed it up..

  2. Hi Nikolas!

    The adenoma is not encapsulated, but has a well-demarcated border with a pushy margin according to their latest video. 🙂

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