Cervical carcinoma and ectopic hyperparathyroidism.

Profound hypercalcemia can impose both diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. First, profound hypercalcemia can be life-threatening as well as difficult to control. Second, the use of mithramycin in the treatment of severe hypercalcemia is emphasized. Third, hypercalcemia of hyperparathyroidism cannot be absolutely distinguished from that of malignancy. In the present case, the tubular reabsorption of phosphate, serum calcium levels, and measurement of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH) suggested primary hyperparathyroidism, yet ectopic iPTH from a cervical carcinoma was the probable cause of the hypercalcemia.