How and what kind of bone is made by metastatic cells of prostatic cancer

Abstract

In 14 patients with densifying bone metastases of prostatic cancer, the analysis of blood and urine P-Ca parameters, serum 25 OH D3, Ca infusion test, and histomorphometry with measure of calcification rate shows that: • - hypocalcemia is common in such patients, sometimes associated to a lack of vitamin D with hypocalciuria and increased Ca retention at the infusion test, and sometimes unexplained; • - from a histological point of view, this osteopathy is characterized by a hyperosteoïdosis, often an important one, around and only around the metastasis foci, the malignant cells being indispensable to induce the osteoïdosis. The entire mineralization of the osteoïd matrix may happen but rarely because the hyperosteoïdosis is most often increased by a vitamin D deficiency.