title: Paraneoplastic hypocalcemia-induced heart failure in advanced breast cancer: A case report and literature review.
abstract: Hypocalcemia is an uncommon clinical symptom of patients with malignant tumors, and a number of factors may be involved in its development. The present study describes the case of a 67-year-old Caucasian female, presenting with severe refractory hypocalcemia and heart failure. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer and bone metastases. The paraneoplastic origin of the syndrome was confirmed by its complete resolution once the tumor responded to specific antineoplastic treatments, comprising weekly paclitaxel and aromatase inhibitor administration. The present case report suggested the need for greater awareness of the possibility of paraneoplastic hypocalcemia in breast cancer patients, and suggested that this condition may also contribute to the occurrence of heart failure. The mechanisms potentially responsible for this event were discussed and a brief review of the literature presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, 47014 Meldola (FC), Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farolfi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, 47014 Meldola (FC), Italy.
authors.forename: Cristiano
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferrario
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Unit, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, 47014 Meldola (FC), Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aquilina
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, 47014 Meldola (FC), Italy.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cecconetto
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology and Metabolism Unit, Morgagni-Pierantoni Hospital, 47121 Forlì (FC), Italy.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tartaglia
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, 47014 Meldola (FC), Italy.
authors.forename: Toni
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.affiliation: Pathology Unit, Morgagni-Pierantoni Hospital, 47121 Forlì (FC), Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.affiliation: Radiology Unit, IRST IRCCS, 47014 Meldola (FC), Italy.
authors.forename: Devil
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oboldi
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology and Metabolism Unit, Morgagni-Pierantoni Hospital, 47121 Forlì (FC), Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nizzoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, 47014 Meldola (FC), Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rocca
keywords: bone metastasis; breast cancer; heart failure; hypocalcemia; paraneoplastic syndrome