Severe hypercalcaemia in B-cell lymphoma: combined effects of PTH-rP, IL-6 and TNF. Issue 889 (1st November 1999)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Daroszewska, Anna; Bucknall, Roger C; Chu, Patrick; Fraser, William D
• Is Part Of: Postgraduate medical journal. Volume 75:Issue 889(1999)
• Page Start: 672
• Page End: 674
• Publication Date: 1999-11-01
• Subjects: hypercalcaemia -- lymphoma -- parathyroid-hormone-related protein -- tumour necrosis factor -- interleukin-6; Medicine -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.75.889.672
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-5473

Abstract

Abstract : Hypercalcaemia as the only manifestation of B-cell lymphoma is seen very rarely. Its pathophysiology is heterogenous and not well understood. We report a 73-year-old man who presented with severe hypercalcaemia before any signs of malignancy became evident. He was diagnosed with a B-cell lymphoma on bone marrow trephine biopsy. The hypercalcaemia was associated with high plasma concentrations of parathyroid-hormone-related protein, interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor. Our patient had markedly increased osteoclast and osteoblast activity as a result of synergistic effects between these factors, with consequent severe hypercalcaemia. This is the first reported example of such combined effects of these factors in humans.