Hypercalcemia and symptom management in advanced cancer

Tomasz Buss; Aleksandra Modlińska; Monika Lichodziejewska-Niemierko; Marek Niedoszytko; Marta Chełmińska

Vol 5, No 1 (2006): Polish Palliative Medicine

Case reports

Published online: 2006-04-21

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Hypercalcemia and symptom management in advanced cancer

Tomasz Buss, Aleksandra Modlińska, Monika Lichodziejewska-Niemierko, Marek Niedoszytko, Marta Chełmińska

Advances in Palliative Medicine 2006;5(1):30-32.

Vol 5, No 1 (2006): Polish Palliative Medicine

Case reports

Published online: 2006-04-21

Abstract

Hypercalcemia is probably the most common metabolic complication of cancer. Symptoms of hypercalcemia of malignancy are nonspecific and often mistakenly taken for those of advanced cancer. Presence of hypercalcemia deteriorates somatic and psychiatric symptoms control. In this case report we describe advanced bladder cancer patient with unrecognized hypercalcemia and poor symptoms control. Correct diagnosis of hypercalcemia and appropriate treatment considerably improved patient’s quality of life.