Which lung cancer is most associated with PTHrP-mediated hypercalcemia?

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Multiple Choice

Which lung cancer is most associated with PTHrP-mediated hypercalcemia?

Explanation:
Hypercalcemia from a tumor can come from PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) acting like PTH, driving bone resorption and increasing renal calcium reabsorption. This raises calcium while the body's own PTH stays low due to negative feedback. In lung cancers, the classic source of PTHrP is squamous cell carcinoma, which often secretes PTHrP and causes humoral hypercalcemia. Small cell carcinoma tends to produce ACTH or ADH rather than PTHrP, and osteosarcoma or renal cell carcinoma cause hypercalcemia mainly through other mechanisms not tied to PTHrP in the lung. So the best association is squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.

Hypercalcemia from a tumor can come from PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) acting like PTH, driving bone resorption and increasing renal calcium reabsorption. This raises calcium while the body's own PTH stays low due to negative feedback. In lung cancers, the classic source of PTHrP is squamous cell carcinoma, which often secretes PTHrP and causes humoral hypercalcemia. Small cell carcinoma tends to produce ACTH or ADH rather than PTHrP, and osteosarcoma or renal cell carcinoma cause hypercalcemia mainly through other mechanisms not tied to PTHrP in the lung. So the best association is squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.

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