Introduction:

Parathyroid cancer glands (PC) described by De Quervain in 1909 represents one of less frequent neoplasm; since PC is functionally active, the initial clinical behavior is similar to benign parathyroid neoplasms.

Clinical case:

A 49-year-old male who went to the emergency with nausea and vomiting of one week of evolution. On examination there was a left lobe of the thyroid gland increase in the volume, associated with hypercalcemia of 19 mg/dL and parathyroid hormone of 1,873 pg/mL, with a gammagram showed a functioning tumor located to the left inferior parathyroid gland; with previous ultrasound and tomography, he underwent surgery. The histopathological study reported parathyroid cancer, a radical surgery was performed in a second time, and radiotherapy was prescribed.

Conclusions:

PC represents the less frequent neoplasm; in patients with parathyroid hormone levels greater than 1,000 pg/mL and hypercalcemia greater than 14 mg/dL, this condition should be suspected.