Severe hypercalcemia: A rare and unusual presentation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia

J Cancer Res Ther. 2018 Dec;14(Supplement):S1244-S1246. doi: 10.4103/0973-1482.187240.

Abstract

Hypercalcemia is a rare and unusual complication of childhood malignancies. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) presenting with hypercalcemia and lytic bone lesions is very rare in children. Here, we report a case of a 4-year-old girl with ALL who presented with severe hypercalcemia and radiological evidence of osteolytic lesions. Malignancies are the most common parathyroid hormone-independent cause of hypercalcemia. Severe hypercalcemia is a life-threatening emergency that should be addressed immediately. Effective treatment includes intense hydration, frusemide, calcitonin, and bisphosphonate in addition to the treatment of underlying cause.

Keywords: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia; children; hypercalcemia; osteolytic lesion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / therapeutic use
  • Calcium / blood*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diuretics / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypercalcemia / blood
  • Hypercalcemia / diagnosis*
  • Hypercalcemia / drug therapy
  • Osteolysis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Osteolysis / drug therapy
  • Osteolysis / etiology
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / blood
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / complications
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / diagnosis*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy
  • Radiography
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Diuretics
  • Calcium