title: Hypercalcemia and systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Hypercalcemia is commonly caused by the increased production of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) by a malignancy. In fact, the demonstration of increased PTHrP production in a patient with hypercalcemia is virtually pathognomonic of malignancy. We studied a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), generalized lymphadenopathy, and hypercalcemia. Immunohistology of 2 biopsied lymph nodes revealed the abundant expression of PTHrP and the absence of malignant transformation. Although apparently rare, PTHrP production by non-malignant lymphoid tissue may occur in SLE and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hypercalcemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Deftos
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Baird
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Terkeltaub
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis
chemical_list: C470121:PTHLH protein, human; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein