ISSN:
1433-7339
Keywords:
Cancer
;
Hypercalcaemia
;
Humoral hypercalcaemia
;
Management
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Hypercalcaemia is a well-recognised complication in partients with several types of cancer. Since determination of the serum calcium has become routine particularly in hospital patients, the identification of hypercalcaemia associated with cancer has increased. Cancer is the most common cause of hypercalcaemia arising in hospitalised patients, and overall approximately onethird of all patients presenting with hypercalcaemia have an underlying cancer. In Western countries, the common causes of hypercalcaemia are cancers of the lung and breast. The median survival of patients with hypercalcaemia and cancer is only 5 weeks, indicating that in many patients treating hypercalcaemia may not achieve prolonged survical, even if symptoms are palliated. The clinical presentations of hypercalcaemia are well known, encompassing gastrointestinal, neurological, cardiovascular and renal symptoms. Management approaches have evolved over the past few years from hydration and use of drugs that promote calcium excretion to new treatments that inhibit bone resorption.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00326635
Permalink
