Vegard Heimly Brun1,2, Erik Knutsen3, Helge Stenvold4, Hanne Halvorsen5. 1. Department of Breast- and Endocrine Surgery, University Hospital of North Norway, Sykehusvegen 38, 9019, Tromsø, Norway. vegardbrun@gmail.com. 2. UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hansine Hansens veg 18, 9019, Tromsø, Norway. vegardbrun@gmail.com. 3. UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hansine Hansens veg 18, 9019, Tromsø, Norway. 4. Department of Oncology, University Hospital of North Norway, Sykehusvegen 38, 9019, Tromsø, Norway. 5. Department of Clinical Pathology, University Hospital of North Norway, Sykehusvegen 38, 9019, Tromsø, Norway.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hypercalcemia of malignancy is relatively common in several cancers. However, in colorectal cancer, paraneoplastic phenomena that cause hypercalcemia is uncommon. In the few cases that are reported, secretion of parathyroid hormone-related peptide mediates the effect. We describe the first case of severe hypercalcemia mediated by intact parathyroid hormone secretion from a bone metastasis of colorectal origin. This was a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. CASE PRESENTATION: A 68-year-old male treated for rectal adenocarcinoma 10 years earlier developed a bone metastasis. After initial treatment of the metastasis with surgery and irradiation, he developed a relapse with severe hypercalcemia and corresponding elevated parathyroid hormone levels. The workup showed no signs of parathyroid adenomas, but the metastasis produced intact parathyroid hormone. The hypercalcemia was successfully treated by irradiation and osteoclast inhibitor, and the patient received chemotherapy. Survival was 24 months from the onset of hypercalcemia. CONCLUSIONS: Proper diagnosis of the uncommon endocrine disturbance allowed targeted therapy and avoidance of neck exploration for wrongly suspecting primary hyperparathyroidism. Intact parathyroid hormone should be measured in cases of malignant hypercalcemia.
BACKGROUND:Hypercalcemia of malignancy is relatively common in several cancers. However, in colorectal cancer, paraneoplastic phenomena that cause hypercalcemia is uncommon. In the few cases that are reported, secretion of parathyroid hormone-related peptide mediates the effect. We describe the first case of severe hypercalcemia mediated by intact parathyroid hormone secretion from a bone metastasis of colorectal origin. This was a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. CASE PRESENTATION: A 68-year-old male treated for rectal adenocarcinoma 10 years earlier developed a bone metastasis. After initial treatment of the metastasis with surgery and irradiation, he developed a relapse with severe hypercalcemia and corresponding elevated parathyroid hormone levels. The workup showed no signs of parathyroid adenomas, but the metastasis produced intact parathyroid hormone. The hypercalcemia was successfully treated by irradiation and osteoclast inhibitor, and the patient received chemotherapy. Survival was 24 months from the onset of hypercalcemia. CONCLUSIONS: Proper diagnosis of the uncommon endocrine disturbance allowed targeted therapy and avoidance of neck exploration for wrongly suspecting primary hyperparathyroidism. Intact parathyroid hormone should be measured in cases of malignant hypercalcemia.
Entities:
Keywords:
Case report; Colorectal cancer; Hypercalcemia; Metastasis; Parathyroid hormone
Authors: S H Ralston; R Coleman; W D Fraser; S J Gallagher; D J Hosking; J S Iqbal; E McCloskey; D Sampson Journal: Calcif Tissue Int Date: 2003-10-06 Impact factor: 4.333
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