[Hypercalcemia in large cell lymphoma. Possible role of prostaglandins E2 (author's transl)]

Hypercalcemias in lymphomas without bone involvement are exceptional. The mechanism of hypercalcemia, very rarely determined, results from release of parathyroid hormone like (PTH) or osteoclast activating factor like substances. Prostaglandins were not reported high in lymphomas with hypercalcemia. We report a case of hypercalcemia in large cell lymphoma with non-cleaved cell and without bone involvement. Plasma PGE2 were 775 pg/ml (normal 7,8 +/- 1,5 pg/ml), plasma PTH was 12 ng/prot./ml (normal 10-30 ng/prot./ml), calcemia was 3,7 mmol/l (normal 2,2-2,6 mmol/l). Ten days after the first chemotherapy, calcemia was normal, plasma PTH was undetectable and plasma PGE2 were 349 pg/ml. Nine months after the beginning of treatment, PGE2 were 16,8 pg/ml and calcemia 2,37 mmol/l. The possible roles of PGE2 in hypercalcemia and as tumor marker are discussed.