The input of GATA-3 in the identification of parathyroid carcinoma diagnosis: Case report with review of literature

INTRODUCTION: and Importance: Parathyroid carcinoma is an exceptional cancer, with significant morbidity and mortality, associated with parathyroid hormone (PTH) mediated hypercalcemia. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of parathyroid carcinoma with a difficult histological diagnosis. This case illustrates the usefulness of the immunohistochemical marker “GATA-3” in parathyroid differentiation especially in tumours. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma is challenging without the knowledge of the clinical information, laboratory finding, and radiographic imaging studies. The immunohistochemistry is useful tool in these cases to identify the parathyroid origin of neoplasia. GATA-3 is a transcription factor that is involved in the embryonic development of the parathyroid glands and in adult parathyroid cell proliferation. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that GATA-3 is a very sensitive and relatively specific immunohistochemical marker for parathyroid differentiation that can assist in the differential diagnosis of parathyroid tumours.