Cancer and hypercalcemia ?

Question

I have had mild asymptomatic hypercalcemia for about 4 years. It was discovered in a routine blood test. I have since had a parathyroid scan (mri) to rule out hyperparathyroidism (which I don't have) and all of my other tests (such as phosphorous, vitamin d, albium, etc...) have been within normal limits. The serum calcium levels have not risen since the initial blood test that revealed hypercalcemia but have remained in the 10.8 (4 years ago) to 10.6 very recently. My question is could I have undiagnosed cancer all this time and not know it ? Also, I am 16 weeks pregnant and am worried that even mild hypercalcemia will cause hypocalcemia or other complications in the fetus.

Answer 1

Just 4 years?  Did you have a normal calcium level before that?  Or are these the first blood tests that you've ever had?

Cancer is one of many causes of high serum calcium levels: multiple myeloma, renal cell carcinoma, prostate cancer, and parathyroid cancers may all present with high calcium.  Buuuuut, fortunately these are all really unlikely, so it is extremely unlikely that cancer is the cause of your high calcium level.  Also, these cancers usually have many other symptoms.  If you aren't experiencing other symptoms then its very, very unlikely that you have cancer.

Genetic disorders, bone problems, and dietary problems are more likely to be the cause of your prolonged high serum calcium levels.