TREATMENT OF TUMOR-INDUCED HYPERCALCEMIA IN ADVANCED BREAST-CANCER PATIENTS WITH 3 DIFFERENT DOSES OF DISODIUM PAMIDRONATE ADAPTED TO THE INITIAL LEVEL OF CALCEMIA

A group of 38 female patients with advanced breast cancer experiencing the first occurrence of tumour-induced hypercalcaemia (TIH), mostly w ith osteolytic progressive bone metastases, were included in a prospec tive calcaemia-adapted study using three different doses of pamidronat e (30 mg, 45 mg and 60 mg). Serum calcium normalisation was achieved i n 29/38 (76%) patients. Comparison of the response rate in three thera peutic groups confirmed the need for higher doses of pamidronate in mo derate TIH. Our study also emphasised the importance of effective anti cancer systemic therapy.