Metastatic breast carcinoma presenting with profound hypocalcemia

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Endocrinology
• Nephrology

Background:

• Hypocalcemia is an uncommon complication associated with various malignancies.
• Malignancy-induced hypocalcemia can manifest with severe neurological symptoms, such as seizures.

Observation:

• A 30-year-old female presented with a grand mal seizure attributed to severe hypocalcemia.
• Further investigations revealed hypoparathyroidism and metastatic breast carcinoma.

Findings:

• Treatment with goserelin and exemestane led to a substantial decrease in tumor burden.
• The patient's hypocalcemia, initially resistant to treatment, showed significant improvement following oncological management.

Implications:

• This case represents the first documented instance of metastatic breast carcinoma presenting with hypocalcemia.
• Clinicians should consider hypocalcemia as a rare but potential paraneoplastic complication of breast cancer.
• Early recognition and integrated treatment of both the malignancy and electrolyte imbalance are crucial for patient outcomes.