Paraneoplastic hypercalcaemia in ovarian carcinoma.
Five patients were seen in whom a raised serum calcium concentration was associated with ovarian carcinoma (clear cell in two cases, cystadenocarcinoma in three). None showed evidence of metastases in bone. The hypercalcaemia occurred as a paraneoplastic phenomenon, but biochemical studies suggested the production of a parathyroid-hormone-like substance. One patient remained free of symptoms of her hypercalcaemia throughout. Paraneoplastic hypercalcaemia due to ovarian carcinoma may be more common than generally recognised and present as a life threatening condition requiring urgent treatment.
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D003536:Cystadenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010257:Paraneoplastic Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*