CAN HYPERCALCEMIA CAUSE MORTALITY?

Can hypercalcemia causes mortality?



Abstract

Hypercalcemia is a common finding in cancer patients, mainly in advanced stages. Current evidence suggests that a humoral mechanism accounts for the hypercalcemia in the majority of these patients, even in the presence of bone metastasis. A humoral factor(s) produced by the tumor would increase osteoclastic-mediated bone resorption and/or increase renal calcium reabsorption, leading to hypercalcemia.

Can hypercalcemia causes mortality?

Introduction

Hypercalcemia is an abnormally high level of calcium in the blood, usually more than 10.5 milligrams per deciliter of blood. This is the most common life-threatening metabolic disorder associated with cancer. Hypercalcemia is a common and potentially life-threatening condition. To understand the clinical sequelae of disorders of calcium homeostasis, it is important to review the role of calcium in biologic systems. Recent research has greatly expanded our understanding of the many roles calcium plays within and outside of the cell. Much has also been learned about the abnormalities in calcium homeostasis that are associated with common human diseases. This review will highlight some of these discoveries and show how such knowledge can be applied to clinical practice. Because the topic of hypercalcemia is vast, the clinical focus of this monograph will be the diagnosis and treatment of the most common causes of hypercalcemia, malignancy-associated hypercalcemia, and, especially, hyperparathyroidism (Kuwano, 2008).

Calcium plays an important role in the development and maintenance of bones in the body. It is also necessary in the formation of teeth and plays an important role in other bodily functions. As much as 99% of body calcium is stored in bone tissue. A healthy person experiences a constant turnover of bone calcium is built and reshaped. The remaining 1% of the body's calcium circulates in the blood and other body fluids. Calcium in the blood plays an important role in controlling many body functions including blood clotting, nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction and other metabolic activities(Catterall, 2005).

Cancer is caused by hypercalcemia produces disturbances in the body's ability to maintain normal calcium levels. This abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood develops because of increased bone breakdown and the release of calcium from bones. The disorder occurs in about 10-20% of all cancer cases. The most common cancers associated with hypercalcemia are breast, prostate and lung cancer, as well as multiple myeloma or other tumors with extensive bone metastases. It can also occur in patients with head and neck cancer, cancer of unknown primary, lymphoma, leukemia, kidney cancer, and duodenal ulcer. Hypercalcemia usually develops as a late complication of cancer, and its appearance is an emergency(Lowenstam, 2009).

Body: A Discussion and Analysis

Several clinical symptoms associated with cancer-related hypercalcemia. Symptoms may appear gradually and usually appear as signs of other cancers and diseases. Symptoms of hypercalcemia are not only associated with increased levels of calcium in the blood, but, more importantly, to how quickly developed hypercalcemia. The severity of symptoms often depends on factors such as previous cancer treatment, reactions to medications or other illnesses the patient may have(Lowenstam, ...