Question

When you have a pt with hx of breast cancer, lytic bone lesions, hyperCa, and normal PTH levels, what is the underlying process?

Answer 1

The underlying process is likely bone metastasis in a patient with breast cancer, lytic bone lesions, hypercalcemia, and normal PTH levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

The underlying process in a patient with a history of breast cancer, lytic bone lesions, hypercalcemia, and normal parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels is likely bone metastasis.

In breast cancer, cancer cells can spread (metastasize) from the breast to other parts of the body, including the bones. Bone metastasis can cause lytic (destructive) lesions in the bones, leading to weakened bones and the release of calcium into the bloodstream, resulting in hypercalcemia.

Normal PTH levels indicate that the cause of hypercalcemia is not primary hyperparathyroidism, where the parathyroid glands produce excessive PTH. Instead, it is secondary to the bone metastasis.