The Impact of Metastatic Bone Cancers on Serum Calcium Levels: A Focused Analysis of Patient Outcomes

Muhammad Khizar Memon; Syed Uzair Mahmood; Sidra Memon; Azhar Rashid; Muhammad Ali Memon; Shahzad Ali Jiskani

doi:10.36283/ziun-pjmd14-1/002

Authors

Muhammad Khizar Memon Allegheny Health Network, United States
Syed Uzair Mahmood Shine Humanity, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Sidra Memon Piedmont Macon Medical Center, Georgia
Azhar Rashid NCCI, Karachi, Pakistan.
Muhammad Ali Memon Indus Medical College, Tando Muhammad Khan, Sindh, Pakistan
Shahzad Ali Jiskani Chandka Medical College @ SMBBMU, Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36283/ziun-pjmd14-1/002

Keywords:

Metastatic Bone Cancer , Serum Calcium, Alkaline Phosphatase, Calcium Dysregulation, Hypocalcemia

Abstract

Background: Metastatic bone cancers are a significant clinical problem because metastasis disrupts normal bone homeostasis, including calcium dysregulation. Much less is known about hypocalcemia and its clinical consequences. The study analyzed serum calcium changes in metastatic bone cancer patients, assessed differences across diagnoses and clinical stages, and evaluated alkaline phosphatase levels and types of bone lesions.

Method: A prospective study was conducted on 100 metastatic bone cancers using convenience sampling, at Indus Medical College Hospital, between March and April 2020. The patients were categorized based on the principle tumor type, clinical stage, and bone scan results. Serum calcium, corrected calcium, albumin, and ALP are measured and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Data analysis was done by SPSS using one-way ANOVA, t-tests, Pearson correlation, regression analysis, and Chi-square tests. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The mean serum calcium was 8.5 ± 0.6 mg/dl. The corrected calcium level of the patients with breast cancer was statistically lower compared with the prostate cancer patients - 8.3 ± 0.5 mg/dl (p = 0.01) compared with 9.0 ± 0.6 mg/dl. The levels of ALP in blastic lesions were higher than in lytic ones, amounting to 600 ± 300 IU/L and 250 ± 100 IU/L, respectively. There was marked regression in the main diagnosis and ALP levels, which occurred with serum calcium being altered in breast cancer.

Conclusion: Serum calcium levels vary significantly among different types of cancers and stages, suggesting a vigilant monitoring of calcium and ALP levels in clinical practice.

Author Biographies

Muhammad Khizar Memon, Allegheny Health Network, United States

Postgraduate trainee
Syed Uzair Mahmood, Shine Humanity, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

Consultant Epidemiologist
Sidra Memon, Piedmont Macon Medical Center, Georgia

Resident Physician
Azhar Rashid, NCCI, Karachi, Pakistan.

Consultant Oncologist
Muhammad Ali Memon, Indus Medical College, Tando Muhammad Khan, Sindh, Pakistan

Consultant Oncologist and Head of Department
Shahzad Ali Jiskani, Chandka Medical College @ SMBBMU, Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan

Assistant Professor of Pathology

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