Hypercalcemia is the elevated level of calcium in the blood. It can be caused by various diseases and also as a result of the use of certain medications.
In oncology, this elevation can result from bone destruction caused by the infiltration of neoplastic cells into this tissue. Since bone is a calcium-rich tissue, its destruction leads to the release of large amounts of calcium into the blood.
Among the tumors that most frequently cause hypercalcemia due to bone destruction are:
Hypercalcemia can also occur in patients with kidney or lung cancer, due to the tumor secretion of substances that regulate blood calcium levels.
Treatment of high calcium level may involve intravenous hydration and the administration of diuretics.
In cases secondary to bone tumor involvement, hypercalcemia can be treated with the use of bisphosphonates, substances capable of inhibiting bone destruction.
