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Endocrine glands
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Hypercalcemia
Treatment: Treatment is directed at the underlying cause of hypercalcemia whenever possible. In cases of hyperparathyroidism, surgery may be needed to remove the abnormal parathyroid gland and cure the hypercalcemia. When hypercalcemia is mild and caused by primary hyperparathyroidism, patients may be followed closely by their physician over time. Severe hypercalcemia causing symptoms and requiring hospitalization is treated aggressively with the following: Intravenous fluids Bisphosphonates (drugs that stop bone resorption such as pamidronate or etidronate) Calcitonin Glucocorticoids (steroids, for hypervitaminosis D that is not medication related) Hemodialysis (for hypercalcemia that is unresponsive to treatment and is life-threatening) Expectations (prognosis): Text Continues Below Prognosis depends on the underlying cause of hypercalcemia. Patients with mild hyperparathyroidism or hypercalcemia with a treatable cause (for example, primary hyperparathyroidism, dietary hypervitaminosis D) may not suffer complications from hypercalcemia. Patients with hypercalcemia secondary to conditions such as cancer or granulomatous disease may have a poor prognosis due to the underlying disease itself rather than to the hypercalcemia. The complications of prolonged hypercalcemia are uncommon today. Complications: Skeletal Fractures Osteoporosis Bone cysts Kidney Nephrocalcinosis (calcification of the kidney) Kidney stones Dehydration Kidney failure Page:  1 | 2 | Next >>