Symptomatic hypocalcemia following a single dose of zoledronic acid in a patient with bone metastases secondary to breast cancer

Abstract

Introduction

The use of bisphosphonates is increasing, for treatment of hypercalcemia and pain in cancer, and post-menopausal osteoporosis and also to decrease the risk of skeletal morbidity in multiple myeloma and metastatic breast cancer.

Case report

A single dose of zoledronic acid was administered for hypercalcemia in a 54-year-old woman breast cancer patient with extensive bone metastasis. After the first dose, the patient developed symptomatic hypocalcemia.

Management and outcome: Simultaneous hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, and vitamin D deficiency were detected in the patient. In the symptomatic process, intravenous, then oral replacement was performed.

Discussion

There is a need for taking precautionary measures such as vitamin D, serum phosphorus and, calcium monitoring and supplementation to prevent life-threatening complications, such as symptomatic hypocalcemia, especially in populations with vitamin D deficiency like ours.