Hypercalcemia as an early sign of lymphoma in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Hypercalcemia is uncommon in patients infected with the human immunodeficie ncy virus (HIV). It has been described in association with cytomegalovirus infection, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, granulomatous diseases, and lymp homa. However, symptomatic hypercalcemia as an early sign of an underlying AIDS-related lymphoma is not well documented. We discuss the case of a pati ent with HIV and hypercalcemia leading to the diagnosis of an underlying ly mphoma. The hypercalcemia was associated with a suppressed serum level of i ntact parathyroid hormone and a normal serum phosphorus level. The possibil ity of a lymphoproliferative disorder should be considered in the different ial diagnosis of HIV-associated hypercalcemia.