Guidelines for the treatment of hypercalcemia associated with malignancy

Abstract

Hypercalcemia is a common complication of cancer and occurs in 10—20% of patients. Although treatment of the underlying cancer is the optimal therapy, this may not be prac tical or available for many patients. This re port details our approach to the management of hypercalcemia at the British Columbia Can cer Agency, Vancouver Cancer Centre. The recommended approach to therapy is hydra tion followed by pamidronate and if needed, calcitonin. If no response is noted, plicamy cin may be used as a second line agent. In patients with multiple myeloma and lym phoma, prednisone is also suggested.