Hypercalcemia is most commonly seen with which malignancies?

Hypercalcemia is most commonly seen with which malignancies?

• A. Prostate cancer
• B. Breast and lung cancer, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma
• C. Colorectal cancer
• D. Gastric cancer

Answer: (B)

Hypercalcemia of malignancy usually results from tumor-driven processes that increase bone resorption or calcium reabsorption. The cancers most classically linked to this are breast and lung cancers, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. In lung cancer, especially squamous cell carcinoma, tumor cells often secrete PTH-related peptide, which mimics PTH and drives calcium release from bone and reabsorption by the kidneys. Breast cancer frequently spreads to bone and causes osteolytic destruction, releasing calcium. Multiple myeloma involves widespread bone destruction by malignant plasma cells, similarly elevating calcium levels. Some lymphomas can cause hypercalcemia through increased production of calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D) or other mechanisms, contributing to elevated calcium. Prostate cancer tends to produce osteoblastic metastases with less tendency to cause hypercalcemia, while colorectal and gastric cancers are less commonly associated with this complication.

Hypercalcemia of malignancy usually results from tumor-driven processes that increase bone resorption or calcium reabsorption. The cancers most classically linked to this are breast and lung cancers, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. In lung cancer, especially squamous cell carcinoma, tumor cells often secrete PTH-related peptide, which mimics PTH and drives calcium release from bone and reabsorption by the kidneys. Breast cancer frequently spreads to bone and causes osteolytic destruction, releasing calcium. Multiple myeloma involves widespread bone destruction by malignant plasma cells, similarly elevating calcium levels. Some lymphomas can cause hypercalcemia through increased production of calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D) or other mechanisms, contributing to elevated calcium. Prostate cancer tends to produce osteoblastic metastases with less tendency to cause hypercalcemia, while colorectal and gastric cancers are less commonly associated with this complication.