Experience with hypercalcemia and osteoporosis of neoplastic disease.

Hypercalcemia and hypercalcemic crisis are common and often life threatening complications of neoplastic disease. Even moderately increased mobilization of skeletal calcium can result in significant osteoporosis. This in turn can give rise to pathologic fractures, often followed by pulmonary fat embolism and death. Bone pain is at times the first sign of neoplastic disease and the reason for seeking medical help.