Bronchogenic carcinoma simulating hyperparathyroidism

Abstract

Four cases are reported of hypercalcemia and bronchogenic carcinoma without demonstrable bone metastases. Studies on serum calcium and phosphorous, phosphate clearance, urinary calcium, rapid calcium infusion test, and ultrafiltrable serum calcium indicated changes characteristic of primary hyperparathyroidism. Surgical extirpation of the lung carcinoma in 2 cases reverted these parameters to normal while x‐radiation of the other 2 carcinomas transiently returned serum calcium and phosphorus to normal levels. Adrenocorticoid therapy caused partial suppression of hypercalcemia in 2 instances. All 4 tumors were squamous cell carcinomas. It is concluded that the single criterion for establishing that hypercalcemia is secondary to a humorally active nonmetastatic tumor is the reduction of serum calcium in response to x‐radiation or surgical removal of the tumor.

Biologic Markers in Lung Cancer

“…This PTH-like material is usually found in patients with epidermoid carcinoma. 23,72,97,114 One study reports a clinical pseudohyperparathyroidism that reverted to normal subsequent to therapy for lung cancer. 114 Further studies are required to demonstrate the value of PTH as a lung tumor marker; however, serum PTH levels frequently return to normal subsequent to successful tumor therapy.…”