Calciphylaxis associated with metastatic breast carcinoma

Calciphylaxis is a rare disorder associated with calcification of small- an d medium-sized blood vessels, and progressive skin necrosis usually seen in the setting of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and secondary hyperparathyro idism. It has also been observed in primary hyperparathyroidism, hypercalce mia of malignancy (extensive bony metastasis of breast cancer), and an isol ated case reported with end-stage liver disease. We report an unusual case of calciphylaxis associated with metastatic breast carcinoma in the absence of renal or parathyroid disease. Calciphylaxis has generally been associat ed with end-stage renal disease and hyperparathyroidism. One previous case report described calciphylaxis occurring in a patient with metastatic adeno carcinoma of the breast and hypercalcemia. Our case represents the second r eported case of calciphylaxis associated with osteolytic, metastatic breast cancer. Although ESRD with secondary hyperparathyroidism is the most commo n presentation of calciphylaxis, this case demonstrates that other conditio ns that alter normal calcium metabolism must be considered in the different ial diagnosis.