Case of tumour rickets

Abstract

A 10-year-old boy, with widespread soft tissue tumors of bone, developed hypophosphatemic rickets due to impaired renal tubular reabsorption of phosphate. Biopsy of the largest tumor showed a nonosteogenic fibroma. The authors believe this boy is another example of 'tumor rickets', as other causes of rickets were excluded clinically and biochemically. Cases of rickets or osteomalacia associated with a tumor, have generally been reported to be cured by surgical removal of the tumor, implicating it as the cause of rickets or osteomalacia. Owing to the large number of tumors in this boy, surgical removal was not possible, and he required large doses of vitamin D, together with oral phosphate, before his rickets healed. It is suggested that the tumor produces a phosphaturic hormone.