Pathophysiology and management of hypercalcemia in malignancy

Abstract

Hypercalcemia is a complication that is often found in patients with malignancy, both blood malignancy and solid tumor malignancy, with a prevalence that can reach 30%. Hypercalcemia caused by malignant conditions is usually characterized by severe clinical manifestations, severe degree, and rapid onset. Hypercalcemia is also one of the markers of poor prognosis in patients with malignancy, often a sign that a malignant condition is in the late stages or is refractory to the treatment given. Management of hypercalcemia in malignancy is based on the underlying pathophysiology. The main pathophysiology is due to humoral hypercalcemia, local osteolytic metastases, increased extrarenal calcitriol, and primary or ectopic PTH secretion. Based on this condition, an understanding of the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approach, and management of hypercalcemia in malignancy needs to be studied further.