Osteomalacia and carcinoma of prostate with major redistribution of skeletal calcium.

A case of hypophosphataemic osteomalacia occurring in association with a carcinoma of prostate is described. Although only palliative treatment to the primary tumour was possible, worthwhile remission of bone symptoms, due to osteomalacia, was achieved with pharmacological doses of vitamin D. The presence of extensive skeletal metastases modified the radiological features of osteomalacia. Major alterations in the distribution of calcium within the skeleton were observed during a period when total body calcium remained unaltered. This observation may be of relevance to other cases in which osteosclerotic metastases develop.