Tumor-induced osteomalacia - a mystery illness beyond aches, pains, and depression

Objective. Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by chronic hypophosphatemia and osteomalacia. We present case of a patient with a protracted clinical course of TIO. TIO profoundly affected every aspect of his life with subsequent profound physical and psychosocial disabilities. Method. The review of a complex clinical presentation, serial laboratory investigations, and imaging modalities of a patient with TIO caused by a mesenchymal tumor. Results. The patient presented with chronic lower back pain, severe bilateral leg weakness, and multiple pathological fractures due to severe osteoporosis. His investigations revealed hypophosphatemia, low 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D, phosphaturia and normal serum calcium, and parathyroid hormone. Elevated fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) confirmed the diagnosis of TIO and ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging correctly identified a tumor in the left femoral head. His clinical features and biochemical abnormalities promptly recovered after successful surgical resection of the mesenchymal tumor. Conclusion. The present case demonstrated the need to extensively investigate causes of generalized bone pain in patients with hypophosphatemia, as TIO is highly curable. Importantly, ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT imaging successfully identified the FGF23 producing tumor, which was undetectable by conventional imaging, favoring its early use in suspected TIO presentation. The present report highlights the importance of timely diagnosis of this complex medical condition, aiming to improve general awareness and enable better clinical outcomes for this rare disorder.