Generalized high bone mineral density on bone density scanning: a case of gastric carcinoma with bone metastasis

ABSTRACT

Generalized high bone mineral density (BMD) on Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning most commonly reflects metabolic bone disease. However, some malignancies could also stimulate the underlying processes. We reported that a 41-year-old female was referred for lumbago. She did not complain of any symptoms in the digestive system. DXA revealed high BMD in the lumbar vertebras. Marked increase in bone mass was observed in an X-ray of chest compared with one conducted 6 months previously. Additionally, an X-ray of the axial skeleton showed diffuse sclerotic change. Laboratory data revealed hypocalcemia and high osteoblastic activity. A bone biopsy of the pelvis confirmed metastatic undifferentiated adenocarcinoma. Further research for the primary site revealed gastric signet ring cell carcinoma via endoscopic biopsy. The patient refused treatment and died 2 months after the diagnosis. In clinical practice, high BMD could be the initial feature of gastric cancer. Due to its poor prognosis, adequate clinical management is of paramount value.

KEYWORDS:

• High BMD
• gastric carcinoma
• bone metastasis

Acknowledgments

We thank the patient and her families and all the authors in the work.

Declaration of interest

The authors received editing help from the organisation American Journal Experts, and Decai Chen funded this. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.