MSI Press Blog

  For Carl, hypercalcemia didn’t just show up in lab results—it appeared as brain fog, confusion, and instability . He fell several times, a common outcome when calcium disrupts muscle and nerve function. These symptoms led him to the ER repeatedly, where doctors gave him IV infusions to quickly lower calcium levels. 💉 What’s in the ER Shots or Infusions? According to clinical guidelines, ER treatment for hypercalcemia of malignancy typically includes: IV fluids (saline) : The first step, flushing calcium through the kidneys. Bisphosphonates (pamidronate, zoledronic acid) : IV drugs that block bone breakdown and reduce calcium release. Denosumab : A targeted antibody used when bisphosphonates aren’t enough. Calcitonin injections : Fast-acting hormone therapy that lowers calcium within hours, though only short-term. Steroids : Sometimes used in lymphoma-related hypercalcemia. Dialysis : Reserved for severe cases with kidney failure. Carl received IV bisphosphonates/deno...

  Hypercalcemia is a serious but treatable complication of cancer. It occurs when calcium levels in the blood rise too high, often signaling advanced disease. Recognizing its symptoms and understanding its causes can help patients and caregivers respond quickly. 🩺 What is Hypercalcemia? Hypercalcemia means higher-than-normal calcium levels in the blood . Calcium is essential for strong bones, muscle movement, nerve signaling, and heart rhythm. But when levels climb too high, the body’s systems are disrupted, leading to dangerous complications. 🎯 Which Cancers Are Linked to Hypercalcemia? Hypercalcemia is most often seen in advanced cancers . The cancers most commonly associated include: Breast cancer Bone cancer Lung cancer Kidney cancer Prostate cancer Multiple myeloma Leukemia and lymphoma Head and neck cancers Gastrointestinal cancers 🔬 How Does It Happen? Cancer can cause hypercalcemia through several mechanisms: Bone metastases : Tumors spread to bone, re...

Carl enjoyed eating--any food. There were nearly none he did not like and in big quantity. When someone dies of cancer, the cause is rarely just one thing. Cancer itself is a ruthless disease, but the body’s vulnerabilities, choices, and circumstances all play their part. Looking back at Carl’s journey, here are the threads that may have woven together into his final tapestry: 🦠 COVID and No Doctors The pandemic shut doors that should have stayed open. With clinics closed or appointments delayed, cancer had the luxury of time. Those lost months gave the disease a head start, unchecked by early detection or intervention. 📅 Putting Off the Colonoscopy Colorectal cancer often whispers before it shouts. A colonoscopy might have caught the whisper. Postponing it meant the cancer could grow in silence, moving from manageable to menacing. 💉 Diabetes and/or Diabetic Medicine Diabetes weakens the body’s defenses. High blood sugar fuels inflammation, and some diabetic medications may complica...

  We all get tired. Life asks a lot of us—work, caregiving, grief, change. But sometimes, fatigue isn’t just a whisper of overwork. Sometimes, it’s a signal. And sometimes, it’s a warning. In the cancer community, we learn to listen differently. We learn that fatigue can be more than a side effect—it can be a symptom. Not just of treatment, but of cancer itself. Before diagnosis. Before the scans. Before the words that change everything. The Kind of Tired That Doesn’t Go Away This isn’t the tired that lifts after a nap or a weekend off. It’s the kind that settles in your bones. That makes simple tasks feel monumental. That turns your usual rhythm into a slow, uncertain shuffle. It’s easy to dismiss. Easy to say, “I’m just getting older,” or “I’ve been stressed,” or “It’s probably nothing.” And sometimes, it is nothing. But sometimes, it’s not. What If Fatigue Is the First Clue? Certain cancers—especially blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma—can show up first as fatigue. N...