Title

Treatment of Hypercalcemia of Malignancy in Adults

Authoring Organization

Endocrine Society

Publication Month/Year

December 20, 2022

Last Updated Month/Year

October 23, 2024

Document Type

Guideline

Country of Publication

US

Document Objectives

Hypercalcemia of malignancy (HCM) is the most common metabolic complication of malignancies, but its incidence may be declining due to potent chemotherapeutic agents. The high mortality associated with HCM has declined markedly due to the introduction of increasingly effective chemotherapeutic drugs. Despite the widespread availability of efficacious medications to treat HCM, evidence-based recommendations to manage this debilitating condition are lacking.

Target Patient Population

Adults with hypercalcemia of malignancy (HCM)

PICO Questions

  1. Should a bisphosphonate or denosumab vs no treatment with a bisphosphonate or denosumab be used for adults with hypercalcemia of malignancy?

  2. Should denosumab vs a bisphosphonate be used for adults with hypercalcemia of malignancy?

  3. Should addition of calcitonin vs no calcitonin be used for adults with severe hypercalcemia of malignancy who will be started on a bisphosphonate or denosumab?

  4. Should a bisphosphonate or denosumab vs no bisphosphonate or denosumab be used for adults with hypercalcemia resulting from tumors associated with high calcitriol levels who are already treated with a glucocorticoid?

  5. Should denosumab vs no denosumab be used for adults with refractory/recurrent hypercalcemia of malignancy on a bisphosphonate?

  6. Should a calcimimetic vs a bisphosphonate or denosumab be used for adults with hypercalcemia due to parathyroid carcinoma?

  7. Should addition of a bisphosphonate or denosumab vs no addition of a bisphosphonate or denosumab be used for adults with hypercalcemia due to parathyroid carcinoma in patients not adequately controlled with a calcimimetic?

  8. Should a calcimimetic vs no calcimimetic be used for adults with hypercalcemia due to parathyroid carcinoma who are not adequately controlled with a bisphosphonate or denosumab?

Inclusion Criteria

Male, Female, Adult, Older adult

Health Care Settings

Ambulatory, Emergency care, Hospital, Outpatient

Intended Users

Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Scope

Counseling, Assessment and screening, Treatment

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D008223 - Lymphoma, D006934 - Hypercalcemia, D010282 - Parathyroid Neoplasms

Keywords

denosumab, bisphosphonate, Hypercalcemia of malignancy, high calcitriol levels, lymphoma, calcimimetic, parathyroid carcinoma

Source Citation

El-Hajj Fuleihan G, Clines GA, Hu MI, et al. Treatment of Hypercalcemia of Malignancy in Adults: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline, J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2022, 103(8)

Supplemental Methodology Resources

Systematic Review Document, Systematic Review Document

Methodology

Number of Source Documents
112
Literature Search Start Date
August 31, 2020
Literature Search End Date
March 31, 2022