Osteomalacia due to chemotherapy-induced Fanconi syndrome in an adult patient

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced Fanconi syndrome is a dangerous condition that could lead to severe electrolyte disturbances and rarely to osteomalacia. CASE: A patient treated with ifosfamide for a metastatic cervix squamous-cell carcinoma was admitted for diffuse, symmetric bilateral pain in bones and articulations. The diagnosis work-up revealed that she suffered from osteomalacia due to a chemotherapy-induced Fanconi syndrome. The patient recovered completely with oral calcitriol supplements. CONCLUSIONS: This very rare chemotherapy-complication suggests that detection of potential tubular dysfunction, by regular serum electrolyte monitoring of patients receiving ifosfamide, may be a reasonable approach to diagnose early chemotherapy-induced Fanconi syndrome, even in adults.