The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
2008 , Vol 50 , Num 2
The rapid correction of hypercalcemia at presentation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia using high-dose methylprednisolone
Department of Pediatrics, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
Ünal Ş, Durmaz E, Erkoçoğlu M, Bayrakçı B, Bircan Ö, Alikaşifoğlu
A, Çetin M. The rapid correction of hypercalcemia at presentation of acute
lymphoblastic leukemia using high-dose methylprednisolone. Turk J Pediatr
2008; 50: 171-175.Hypercalcemia is a well-recognized complication of neoplastic disorders. Herein, we report a hypercalcemic pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia case at presentation refractory to hydration, furosemide, pamidronate and calcitonin. Normal serum calcium levels were achieved with the initiation of chemotherapy protocol including vincristine, daunomycin and high-dose methylprednisolone. The impact of high-dose methylprednisolone in the correction of severe hypercalcemia in steroid-responsive tumors as an initial treatment approach or for cases refractory to other measures may be life-saving.
Keywords : hypercalcemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, children, methylprednisolone