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. 2015;33(8):331-9.
doi: 10.3109/07357907.2015.1047506. Epub 2015 Jun 12.

Quality and Outcomes of Treatment of Hypercalcemia of Malignancy

Jason D Wright  1   2   3 , Ana I Tergas  1   2   3   4 , Cande V Ananth  1   4 , William M Burke  1   2   3 , June Y Hou  1   2   3 , Ling Chen  1 , Alfred I Neugut  2   3   4   5 , Catherine A Richards  4 , Dawn L Hershman  2   3   4   5
Affiliations

Quality and Outcomes of Treatment of Hypercalcemia of Malignancy

Jason D Wright et al. Cancer Invest. 2015.

Abstract

Using a nationwide database, 4,874 patients with hypercalcemia of malignancy were identified. The in-hospital mortality rate was 6.8%. Overall, 1,971 (40.4%) patients received pamidronate and 1,399 (28.7%) received zoledronic acid during hospitalization. Calcitonin was utilized in 1,337 (27.4%) patients while glucocorticoids were administered to 1,311 (26.9%). Use of contraindicated medications was noted in 136 (2.8%) patients who received thiazide diuretics and 12 (0.2%) who received lithium. Tumor site, presence of bone metastases, and severity of illness were predictors of treatment. There was no association between treatment with bisphosphonates, calcitonin, or glucocorticoids and morbidity or mortality.

Keywords: Calcium; Hypercalcemia; Malignancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest or disclosures.

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