Why hypercalcemia in multiple myeloma

Hypercalcemia is caused by many factors in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma NDMM and is associated with poor rates of survival, according to a new study.

Hypercalcemia of malignancy HCM is a metabolic complication of cancer that occurs when humoral mechanisms like parathyroid hormone related protein- PTHrP or 1,dihydroxy vitamin D-mediated pathways and direct bone metastasis, according to corresponding author Li Bao, MD, PhD, of Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, in China, and colleagues.

Hypercalcemia can occur in various types of malignancies, but the highest rates have been reported in MM. In such cases, local osteolytic bone lesions are thought to be the primary cause, the investigators wrote.

Humoral hypercalcemia, on the other hand, typically occurs in patients with squamous cell, renal cell, or ovarian cancer. Bao and colleagues said there is little existing research into key questions about hypercalcemia in MM, such as the proportion of hypercalcemia caused by humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy HHM or local osteolysis, and the association between hypercalcemia and bone metabolism in patients with MM.

The researchers set out to change that by evaluating the prognostic impact and mechanism of hypercalcemia in patients with symptomatic NDMM. Their findings were published in the journal Cancer Medicine. The investigators used data from patients who were initially diagnosed at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital and who received their follow-up care there between the years and Abstract Hypercalcemia is a common presenting feature of symptomatic myeloma. Add comment Close comment form modal. Submit a comment.

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