Work

Clinical Insights Into Hypercalcemia of Malignancy in Childhood

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Hypercalcemia of malignancy (HCM) is a rare but life-threatening metabolic emergency in children that occurs in less than 1% of pediatric cancer cases, with a reported incidence ranging from 0.4% to 1.0% across different studies. While it is observed in 10%-20% of adult malignancies, pediatric HCM remains relatively uncommon. Unlike HCM in adults, in which solid tumors are the primary cause, pediatric HCM is most frequently associated with hematological malignancies such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Knowledge regarding the duration of malignancy-related hypercalcemia is obtained by evaluating the increasing trend in calcium levels at clinical visits, which provides information about the stage and prognosis of the malignancy. Suddenly developing, symptomatic and severe hypercalcemia indicates a poor prognosis in patients with malignancy. In this narrative review, we discuss the distinct pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical presentation of HCM in children and the current therapeutic strategies.

Source: Pediatric Blood & Cancer

DOI: 10.1002/1545-5017.70315

Author: Hüseyin Anıl Korkmaz

Institutions: Dr. Behçet Uz Çocuk Hastalıkları Hastanesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi

Language: English

Topic: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia research

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,640