Possibility of lanthanum absorption in the stomach.

Lanthanum carbonate (LC) is an orally administered phosphate binder. Its absorption is generally thought to be minimal. We report here the case of an 81-year-old woman who underwent subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer after receiving hemodialysis for 1 year and taking LC for 7 months. Lanthanum phosphate compounds were found histologically in the gastric mucosa and a regional lymph node and confirmed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. These findings suggest that lanthanum is absorbed in the stomach and transported via lymph flow. This observation could prove helpful in future investigation of lanthanum disposition.