Two Cases of Tumor-induced Osteomalacia Resulting in Surgical Resection during Burosumab Therapy

Intern Med. 2025 Sep 1;64(17):2597-2603. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.4958-24. Epub 2025 Mar 8.

Abstract

Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome that results from tumors that secrete fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). This leads to chronic hypophosphatemia. Burosumab, an anti-FGF23 antibody, is an effective treatment when surgery is not possible; however, it complicates FGF23 measurements and postoperative monitoring. We describe the first case report of TIO in which the responsible tumors were discovered during burosumab therapy and successfully resected. Despite tumor removal, the serum FGF23 levels remained elevated. In the postoperative monitoring of patients treated with burosumab, physicians should focus on the serum and urine levels of phosphate rather than FGF23.

Keywords: burosumab; fibroblast growth factor 23; postoperative monitoring; tumor-induced osteomalacia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized* / therapeutic use
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor-23
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / blood
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms, Connective Tissue* / surgery
  • Osteomalacia* / etiology
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes* / diagnosis
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes* / etiology
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes* / surgery

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • burosumab
  • FGF23 protein, human
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor-23
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors

Supplementary concepts

  • Oncogenic osteomalacia