Hypocalcemia Associated With Metastatic Bone Disease: A Retrospective Study

Twenty-three patients had osteoblastic bone metastases from adenocarcinoma of the prostate and had serum calcium values of less than 8.6 mg/100 ml. To determine the frequency of this association, we surveyed 143 patients who had osseous metastases and were from five general hospitals. Hypocalcemia was encountered in 23 (16%), while only 13 (9%) were hypercalcemic. Carcinoma of the prostate with osteoblastic metastases (seven patients) was the single most frequent lesion. None of the usual causes of hypocalcemia was found in these patients although age, azotemia, hypoalbuminemia, and the extent and duration of metastatic involvement were contributory. Hypocalcemia should be sought in all patients with widespread bone metastases.