Severe hypocalcemia after oral ibandronate in a patient with metastatic breast cancer: a case report

Abstract

Bone metastasis is a common finding in patients with metastatic breast cancer. In approximately 25% of breast cancers, bone is commonly the first area of metastasis. Pain, hypercalcemia and bone fractures are the most common complications of bone metastasis. Bisphosphonates effectively reduce and prevent skeletal related complications in breast cancer patients with bone metastases. Although hypocalcemia might occur during bisphosphonate therapy, symptomatic hypocalcemia after oral bisphosphonate therapy is rare and usually occurs several weeks after the initiation of the therapy. In this case report, we present a metastatic breast cancer patient with vitamin D deficiency who developed severe hypocalcemia in the early period following oral ibandronic acid treatment.