Undifferentiated pancreatic cancer associated with humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy

Jpn J Clin Oncol. 1998 Sep;28(9):563-6. doi: 10.1093/jjco/28.9.563.

Abstract

We present a case of undifferentiated pancreatic cancer associated with humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM) in which parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTH-rP) is identified as the causative factor of hypercalcemia. A 61-year-old man was hospitalized with right hypochondralgia. Ultrasound examination and computed tomography demonstrated a large mass in the pancreatic head with liver metastases. Biopsy of the pancreatic tumor demonstrated undifferentiated carcinoma. Serum calcium level and PTH-rP were elevated. Bone scan with technetium-99 demonstrated no accumulation in the bones. Immunohistochemical staining for PTH-rP was weakly positive in the tumor cells. We considered that PTH-rP was the causative factor of HHM in this case from laboratory data and immunohistochemical findings. This rare case was successfully treated with pamidronate disodium, which is a type of bisphosphonate derivative. We compared this case with previously reported cases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma / complications*
  • Carcinoma / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma / secondary
  • Diphosphonates / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hypercalcemia / complications*
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pamidronate
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / complications*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein
  • Proteins / analysis
  • Proteins / physiology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Diphosphonates
  • PTHLH protein, human
  • Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein
  • Proteins
  • Pamidronate