High 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, hypercalcemia can result from bone destruction caused by the infiltration of neoplastic cells in this tissue. As 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 by bone destruction are multiple myeloma and cases of breast or prostate cancer with bone metastases.
Hypercalcemia can also appear in patients with lung or kidney cancer, due to the tumor secretion of substances that regulate blood calcium levels.
Treatment of hypercalcemia may involve intravenous hydration and administration of diuretics. Furthermore, in cases secondary to bone tumor involvement, hypercalcemia can be treated through the use of bisphosphonates, substances capable of inhibiting bone destruction.
