Does Urinary Calcium Excretion Reflect Growth or Regression of Disseminated Breast Cancer?

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Abstract
Participation in the program of the Cancer Chemotherapy National Service Center for evaluation of the antitumor efficacy of steroids in the treatment of disseminated breast cancer made possible the correlation of urinary calcium excretion with objective progression or regression of the tumor. Regression consisted of: 1) significant shrinkage of measurable lesions; 2) absence of new lesions; 3) calcification of osseous metastases; 4) confirmation by 2 disinterested experts, based on measurements, photographs and x-ray films. Evaluation and measurements of urinary calcium excretion were obtained every 4–6 weeks. No significant alteration of urinary excretion occurred during regression or progression of osteolytic lesions. A combination of prednisone and triiodothyronine increased urinary calcium excretion to a similar degree in patients with progressing or /and with regressing metastases. No consistent change in urinary calcium excretion after the institution of androgen therapy permitted prediction of progression or regression. The authors conclude that urinary calcium excretion is not a realiable index of progression or regression of osteolytic metastases of mammary carcinoma.

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