title: Type B lactic acidosis in solid malignancies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Type B lactic acidosis is thought to be a rare complication of malignancy. It was first described in patients with acute leukaemia by Field et al. in 1963. Since then, it has been observed more often, in particular in haematological malignancies and rarely in solid tumours.
  
  
  METHODS
  Previously reported cases of lactic acidosis in solid malignancy are reviewed. In addition, we report a case of type B lactic acidosis in a woman with metastatic breast cancer. Afterwards, we speculate on the elusive pathophysiology of this oncological emergency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  14 cases of lactic acidosis due to solid malignancies, without prior chemotherapy, were identified. The cases were published from the year 1978 to 2006.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several theories concerning the mechanism for type B lactic acidosis in solid malignancy have been postulated. During the last decade, more and more evidence supports the role of overproduction of lactic acid due to ischaemia in the neoplastic tissue bed and with cancer cells having an aberrant energy production.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Deventer Hospital, Deventer, The Netherlands. R.Grootde@dz.nl
authors: R
authors: R
authors: de Groot
authors: R A
authors: RA
authors: Sprenger
authors: A L T
authors: AL
authors: Imholz
authors: M N
authors: MN
authors: Gerding
mesh_terms: D000140:Acidosis, Lactic / Q000209:etiology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*