Hypercalcemia in Malignancy; the Second Great Masquerader
Adam H. Miller *
Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, United States.
Marcelo Sandoval
Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, United States.
Jayne Viets-UpChurch
Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, United States.
Arun Jacob
Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, United States.
Maggie Q. Ma
Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, United States.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Hypercalcemia in malignancy can present with metabolic derangement, generalized weakness, altered mental status, renal compromise, cardiac dysrhythmias including atrial fibrillation and bradycardia, abdominal pain and/or shortness of breath amongst many other clinical manifestations. We present three cases of hypercalcemia in patients with malignancies; followed by discussion of hypercalcemia including etiology, clinical presentation and treatment.
Keywords: Hypercalcemia, malignancy, cancer, clinical manifestations, management, dysrhythmia.