Malignancy-Related Hypercalcemia Developing on a Bisphosphonate but Responding to Calcitonin

Abstract Bisphosphonates are considered a cornerstone for the treatment of hypercalcemia of malignancy, whereas calcitonin has not been found to be as potent. We report a case of severe hypercalcemia of malignancy that developed while the patient was taking alendronate that responded to the use of c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical lung cancer 2007-07, Vol.8 (7), p.434-435
Main Authors: Diskin, Charles J, Stokes, Thomas J, Dansby, Linda M, Radcliff, Lautrec, Carter, Thomas B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Alendronate
Alendronate - adverse effects
Alendronate - therapeutic use
Calcitonin - therapeutic use
Diphosphonates - adverse effects
Female
Furosemide
Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine
Humans
Hypercalcemia - chemically induced
Hypercalcemia - etiology
Lung Neoplasms - complications
Pulmonary/Respiratory
Squamous cell carcinoma
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Summary:Abstract Bisphosphonates are considered a cornerstone for the treatment of hypercalcemia of malignancy, whereas calcitonin has not been found to be as potent. We report a case of severe hypercalcemia of malignancy that developed while the patient was taking alendronate that responded to the use of calcitonin. A 73-year-old woman developed hypercalcemia of malignancy while taking weekly alendronate. The patients' serum calcium remained above 15 mg/dL despite hydration and loop diuretics for 48 hours in addition to the bisphosphonates, and resistance was suspected. Intravenous calcitonin produced a dramatic decrease within 12 hours and normal serum calcium within 24 hours of treatment. Calcitonin might be useful for hypercalcemia of malignancy resistant to bisphosphonates.
ISSN:1525-7304
1938-0690
DOI:10.3816/CLC.2007.n.028