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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2001; 109(7): 378-385
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-17411
Articles

© Johann Ambrosius Barth

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor with extensive vascularisation and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) - associated hypercalcemia of malignancy

P. Clemens, M. Gregor, R. Lamberts
  • Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Eberhard-Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Publication History

Publication Date:
25 September 2001 (online)

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Summary:

We report the case of a 34 year old male presenting with symptomatic hypercalcemia due to excessive PTHrP secretion from a pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma with extensive hypervascularization and without any evidence for metastatic disease. In the early phase of the disease conventional chemotherapy with streptozocin and doxorubicin was able to control functional activity as well as tumor growth. However, after 2 years tumor escape was indicated by severe therapy-resistant hypercalcemia. Therapeutic options were reduced due to the excessive tumor vascularization and the patient died from his disease after a short period of intensified therapy. The role of PTHrP in hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM) and its association with neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors as well as possible therapeutic options are reviewed.

Key words:

Neuroendocrine pancreatic tumor - parathyroid hormone-related peptide - humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy - tumor vascularization

References

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Prof. Dr. Regina Lamberts

Abteilung Innere Medizin I

Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen

Otfried-Müller-Str. 10

D-72076 Tübingen

Germany

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