Document Detail


Unusual Complication of a Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Presenting with Malignant Hypercalcemia.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  22319031     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Context:Hypersecretion of PTHrP is a relatively common cause of malignancy-related hypercalcemia but has only been described in a few cases of neuroendocrine tumors (NET).Objective:The aim of this case report is to describe the clinical syndrome, complex therapeutic interventions, and unusual complications caused by persistent PTHrP hypersecretion in a patient with a pancreatic NET.Case Illustration:A 58-yr-old male patient presented with nonspecific abdominal pain and was found to have severe hypercalcemia secondary to a well-differentiated NET of the pancreas associated with extensive liver metastases. Elevated ionized calcium levels accompanied by low serum PTH and remarkably elevated PTHrP concentrations were consistent with PTHrP-related hypercalcemia that proved to be resistant to various chemotherapeutic regimens and supportive therapy. Partial control of the humoral syndrome was obtained only after the application of cytoreductive interventions and the introduction of various molecular targeted therapies. Due to persistent PTHrP action, bone disease emerged in the form of brown tumors.Discussion:The manifestation of paraneoplastic syndrome due to PTHrP hypersecretion, despite its rareness in NET, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hypercalcemia in such tumors. Moreover, the appearance of bone lesions in this setting may be in the context of metabolic bone disease and could be misdiagnosed as bone metastases.
Authors:
G Kanakis; G Kaltsas; D Granberg; L Grimelius; D Papaioannou; A V Tsolakis; K Oberg
Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2012-2-8
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1945-7197     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2012 Feb 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2012-2-9     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0375362     Medline TA:  J Clin Endocrinol Metab     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Affiliation:
Department of Pathophysiology (G.Kan., G.Kal.), University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; Department of Medical Sciences Section of Endocrine Oncology (D.G., A.V.T., K.O.) and Department of Genetics and Pathology (L.G.), Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; and Department of Pathology (D.P.), Hygeia Hospital, 151 23 Athens, Greece.
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Adipocytes as a Source of Increased Circulating Levels of Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase/Vis...
Next Document:  Serum 24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D Concentrations in Osteogenesis Imperfecta: Relationship to Bone Param...