Parathyroid hormone-related protein as a tumour marker in humoral hypercalcaemia associated with occult malignancy

The tumour-derived factor PTH-related protein (PTHRP) is the primary humoral factor responsible for hypercalcaemia in patients with solid tumours. In a woman presenting with anaemia and hypercalcaemia, the finding of raised plasma PTHRP and undetectable serum PTH concentrations led to further invest...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Postgraduate medical journal 1993-08, Vol.69 (814), p.640-642
Main Authors: Hutchesson, A. C., Dunne, F., Bundred, N. J., Gee, H., Ratcliffe, W. A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Biomarkers, Tumor - blood
Female
Female genital diseases
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Humans
Hypercalcemia - blood
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Neoplasm Proteins - blood
Neoplasms, Unknown Primary - blood
Parathyroid Hormone - blood
Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein
Proteins - analysis
Tumors
Uterine Neoplasms - blood
Uterine Neoplasms - chemistry
Uterine Neoplasms - diagnosis
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Summary:The tumour-derived factor PTH-related protein (PTHRP) is the primary humoral factor responsible for hypercalcaemia in patients with solid tumours. In a woman presenting with anaemia and hypercalcaemia, the finding of raised plasma PTHRP and undetectable serum PTH concentrations led to further investigations and the subsequent identification of a uterine tumour. No evidence of tumour spread was found at operation, and removal of the tumour resulted in normalization of both serum calcium and plasma PTHRP. Expression of PTHRP by the tumour was shown by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. We conclude that the identification of an occult tumour in a patient with hypercalcaemia and raised plasma PTHRP provides evidence of the diagnostic utility of PTHRP immunoassays in the investigation of patients with hypercalcaemia and suspected malignancy.
ISSN:0032-5473
1469-0756
DOI:10.1136/pgmj.69.814.640