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Updated: May 22, 2026

Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow
Published on: November 6, 2014
Advanced prostate cancer as a cause of oncogenic osteomalacia: an underdiagnosed condition
Milena Perez Mak1, Verônica Torres da Costa e Silva, Regina Matsunaga Martin
1Clinical Oncology, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Purpose:
Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a paraneoplastic bone mineral disturbance related to fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) overproduction by the tumor, usually from mesenchymal origin. Such condition leads to high phosphate renal wasting and, consequently, to cumbersome symptoms as weakness, bone pain, and fractures.
Method:
Case report.
Result:
We report a case of an advanced castration-refractory prostate cancer patient, which developed severe hypophosphatemia with elevated phosphate excretion fraction. TIO was suspected, and increased levels of FGF23 reinforced such diagnosis. The patient died 4 months after being diagnosed with TIO.
Conclusion:
This case suggests that TIO has a dismal prognosis in prostate cancer patients. The clinical oncology community must be aware about such disturbance that can be present in those patients with weakness, bone pain, and hypophosphatemia.
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