Calciphylaxis in a Patient With Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Case Report and Literature Review

J Cutan Med Surg. 2018 Sep/Oct;22(5):524-526. doi: 10.1177/1203475418761867. Epub 2018 Feb 24.

Abstract

Background: Calciphylaxis is a well-known entity in end-stage kidney disease and after renal transplant. Cases of nonuremic calciphylaxis (NUC) have also been reported, but data on this rare condition are mainly empirical.

Objective: We discuss a case of NUC secondary to spontaneous tumour lysis syndrome in a patient who had chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and present a review of the literature to better characterize malignancy-associated NUC.

Methods: We identified 12 published cases of malignancy-associated NUC.

Results: This systematic review of malignancy-associated NUC did not show a relationship between the type of malignancy, the distribution of skin lesions, or mortality. However, distal more than proximal involvement seems to be more frequently associated with calcium phosphate imbalance.

Conclusion: Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for calciphylaxis when evaluating patients with cutaneous lesions developed in the setting of malignancy.

Keywords: cancer; dermatology; pathology; wound.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Calciphylaxis* / complications
  • Calciphylaxis* / diagnosis
  • Calciphylaxis* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Leg / pathology
  • Leg Ulcer / etiology
  • Leg Ulcer / pathology
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / complications*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged