title: [Malignancy-associated hypercalcemia].
abstract: Bisphosphonates (BPs) constitute a major advance in the treatment of malignancy-associated hypercalcemia(MAH). BPs correct MAH through the mechanisms of inhibition of osteoclastic bone resorption. Although BPs are more potent agents than calcitonin in the treatment of MAH, anti-hypercalcemic effect of BPs appears more slowly than that of calcitonin. Therefore, combination therapy with BP and calcitonin is favorable in the treatment of MAH showing hypercalcemic crisis. Zoledronate, most potent bisphosphonate, is apparently superior to pamidronate, standard bisphosphonate, in the treatment of MAH. BP therapy develops no serious adverse effects (i.e. acute renal failure) in clinical practice. However, attention should be paid to BP-induced pyrexia and transient pain increase.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Wakayama Medical University.
authors.forename: Shoji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oura
mesh_terms: D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D010257:Paraneoplastic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D004164:Diphosphonates