Tamoxifen induced hypercalcaemia: a case report

ABSTRACT

The present case demonstrates the important of close observation of patients with cancer metastatic to bone, newly started on endocrine therapy. Nonspecific symptoms should alert the physician to the possibility of hypercalcaemia. The serum calcium is better monitored regularly during the first 2 weeks of tamoxifen therapy, especially in patients with renal impairment. Volume repletion with normal saline is the most important initial treatment for hypercalcaemia. Patients with serum calcium levels above 3.25 m mol/1 [13 mg/dl] required additional intravenous bisphosphonate treatment. Oral bisphosphonate given for two weeks may prevent possible recurrence of hyperercalcaemia when tamoxifen therapy is reinstitkuted