Calciphylaxis in a patient without renal failure or elevated parathyroid hormone: possible aetiological role of chemotherapy

Calciphylaxis is a rare, often fatal disease characterized clinically by pr ogressive cutaneous necrosis and ulceration, and histologically by vascular calcification and thrombosis. It has been described in association with en d-stage renal disease, after initiation of dialysis, following renal transp lantation, and in patients with hyperparathyroidism. We present the first c ase of calciphylaxis occurring in a patient with both normal renal function and parathyroid hormone level and discuss the possible aetiological role o f chemotherapy-induced functional protein C and protein S deficiency.