Paraneoplastic hypocalcemia-induced heart failure in advanced breast cancer: A case report and literature review

Farolfi,Alberto; Ferrario,Cristiano; Aquilina,Michele; Cecconetto,Lorenzo; Tartaglia,Andreas; Ibrahim,Toni; Serra,Luigi; Oboldi,Devil; Nizzoli,Maurizio; Rocca,Andrea

doi:10.3892/ol.2015.3326

Paraneoplastic hypocalcemia-induced heart failure in advanced breast cancer: A case report and literature review

Authors:
- Alberto Farolfi
- Cristiano Ferrario
- Michele Aquilina
- Lorenzo Cecconetto
- Andreas Tartaglia
- Toni Ibrahim
- Luigi Serra
- Devil Oboldi
- Maurizio Nizzoli
- Andrea Rocca
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Affiliations: Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, 47014 Meldola (FC), Italy, Cardiology Unit, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, 47014 Meldola (FC), Italy, Endocrinology and Metabolism Unit, Morgagni‑Pierantoni Hospital, 47121 Forlì (FC), Italy, Pathology Unit, Morgagni‑Pierantoni Hospital, 47121 Forlì (FC), Italy, Radiology Unit, IRST IRCCS, 47014 Meldola (FC), Italy
Published online on: June 5, 2015 https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2015.3326
Pages: 773-777
Copyright: © Farolfi et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Hypocalcemia is an uncommon clinical symptom of patients with malignant tumors, and a number of factors may be involved in its development. The present study describes the case of a 67‑year-old Caucasian female, presenting with severe refractory hypocalcemia and heart failure. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer and bone metastases. The paraneoplastic origin of the syndrome was confirmed by its complete resolution once the tumor responded to specific antineoplastic treatments, comprising weekly paclitaxel and aromatase inhibitor administration. The present case report suggested the need for greater awareness of the possibility of paraneoplastic hypocalcemia in breast cancer patients, and suggested that this condition may also contribute to the occurrence of heart failure. The mechanisms potentially responsible for this event were discussed and a brief review of the literature presented.

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