Small cell carcinoma of the ovary with hypercalcemia and ectopic parathyroid hormone production

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2005 Apr;129(4):531-3. doi: 10.5858/2005-129-531-SCCOTO.

Abstract

Small cell carcinoma of the ovary is a rare malignant tumor of the ovary. It is the most common undifferentiated ovarian carcinoma in young women. Approximately two thirds of patients with ovarian small cell carcinoma have hypercalcemia. The mechanism of development of hypercalcemia is unclear, although parathyroid hormone-related protein has been found in some of the cases. Parathormone expression in tumor cells, rarely reported, was seen in this case, suggesting that ectopic parathyroid hormone production by the tumor cells may be the cause of hypercalcemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / blood
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypercalcemia / etiology*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / blood
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Parathyroid Hormone / metabolism*

Substances

  • Parathyroid Hormone