Severe malignancy-associated hypercalcemia in dysgerminoma

Hypercalcemia is a rare complication of pediatric malignant germ cell tumors. The problem may be missed because of unawareness among pediatric oncologists. We describe a 16-year-old girl with an ovarian dysgerminoma associated with severe hypercalcemia, a metabolic abnormality infrequently reported with this disease. We review some of the potential causes of malignancy-associated hypercalcemia and current treatment strategies. It is our recommendation that calcium levels should be monitored in all children with solid ovarian masses. Hypercalcemia seen in these situations may not improve until the tumor is removed.