A potential consequence of chemotherapy to treat cancer is tumor lysis syndrome, a condition in which rapid destruction of cancer cells results in a low serum calcium level, or hypocalcemia, as well as other electrolyte disturbances. If you are undergoing a chemotherapy regimen, it is important to understand your risk factors for tumor lysis syndrome and hypocalcemia, as well as associated signs and symptoms.
Tumor Lysis Syndrome
Tumor lysis syndrome is a dangerous complication of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy treatment causes rapid and sudden death of cancer cells. As the cancer cells die, they release their contents into your bloodstream. This release causes a serum buildup of intracellular contents greater than what our body can eliminate. The results of this process are electrolyte imbalances, as well as metabolic disturbances. Particularly if you have a large amount of cancer present, or if you have leukemia or lymphoma, you are at high risk for hypocalcemia as a result of chemotherapy.
Hypocalcemia
Your doctor diagnoses hypocalcemia if your blood levels of calcium fall below a normal level, which is is 4.5 to 5.5 mEq/L for a healthy adult, according to Chemocare.com. Your body uses calcium to maintain healthy bones, as well as to maintain normal function of your nerves and muscles. A deficiency of calcium impairs your body's ability to do these things, which results in several adverse signs and symptoms.
Symptoms of Hypocalcemia
A sudden drop in serum calcium levels, as a result of chemotherapy, is associated with several symptoms, which include muscle cramps of your arms or legs, twitching of your muscles due to the phenomenon neuromuscular irritability and numbness or tingling of your fingers or toes. You may also notice that you are more irritable or depressed than what is usual for you. With excessively low serum calcium levels, patients may experience disorientation or confusion. Disturbances in cardiac contractions are also a possibility with profound hypocalcemia.
Treatment
If your condition warrants acute intervention, expect your doctor to administer intravenous calcium through a vein. After your doctor discharges you, or if you have only mild hypocalcemia, it may be necessary for you to follow a calcium-rich diet plan. The best dietary sources of calcium are dairy products. Your doctor may also prescribe calcium supplements that include vitamin D. Addition of vitamin D helps your body absorb more of the calcium you eat.
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