Hypophosphataemic osteomalacia misdiagnosed as metastatic carcinoma. A case report.

A 60-year-old woman presented with diffuse bone pain 12 months after simple mastectomy. During investigation for metastatic disease it was realized that her pain had preceded the mastectomy by 2 years and that the biochemical and radiological findings were inconsistent with metastatic disease. The findings of phosphaturia, hypophosphataemia, normocalcaemia and normal renal function without hyperparathyroidism are discussed in the light of the rarity of such findings in a 60-year-old adult and, in particular, in a patient with cancer of the breast.