Haemangioma of the parathyroid gland. Does it really exist?

Pathol Oncol Res. 2010 Sep;16(3):443-6. doi: 10.1007/s12253-009-9236-z. Epub 2010 Jan 10.

Abstract

We are reporting a case of a capillary haemangioma-like proliferation arising within a parathyroid gland adenoma, associated with primary hyperparathyroidism. The vessel proliferation bearing a close resemblance to a capillary haemangioma consisted of tightly packed capillaries, endothelial buds and occasional small caliber muscle-containing vessels. The observation expands the spectrum of tumour-associated vascular proliferations by adding an exuberant haemangioma-like pattern to its extreme end. These are a heterogeneous group of lesions reportedly induced by aberrant production of angiogenic factors. We investigated expression of VEGF, pKDR, FGF2, HIF1alpha and HIF2alpha and only VEGF gave a strong positive reaction in the adenoma cells entrapped in the vascular meshwork. Although this does not constitute a proof that aberrant VEGF production was a causative agent, unexpected supportive evidence for its pathogenic role emerged from a failure to detect chromogranin A. Chromogranin A is a precursor of several regulatory proteins, including vasostatin I, a multilevel suppressor of VEGF. The production of vasostatin I may have been reduced in a chromogranin A-negative adenoma which could lead to a loss of its opposing effect on VEGF-regulated processes. The only two other published cases of haemangioma of the parathyroid gland were reported in patients diagnosed with primary parathyroid hyperplasia with hyperparathyroidism, a pathophysiologic condition similar to our case. Therefore we raise the question whether these tumours could also represent a reactive phenomenon.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / metabolism
  • Adenoma / pathology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
  • Hemangioma / metabolism
  • Hemangioma / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / complications
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / metabolism
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / pathology*
  • Parathyroid Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Parathyroid Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A