Oncologic emergencies

Describe the impact of various oncologic emergencies on the prognosis of patients with cancer. 

Discuss the causes of various oncologic emergencies in relation to their underlying cancer types. 

Identify risk factors for oncologic emergencies in relation to prevention and treatment options. 

Recognize typical presenting signs and symptoms of oncologic emergencies. 

Outline an appropriate prevention strategy for various oncologic emergencies. 

Recommend optimal nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic management strategies for patients with oncologic emergencies. 

Prepare a monitoring plan to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of pharmacotherapy for oncologic emergencies. 

Patients with cancer are at risk for life-threatening events from the malignancy itself or various treatments for their cancer. These events traditionally have been defined as oncologic emergencies. Although some of these conditions are not imminently life-threatening (e.g., chemotherapy extravasation), they do require rapid assessment and treatment. 

Oncologic emergencies may best be subdivided according to the following systems of origin ... 

Febrile neutropenia is a common adverse effect of the administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy. The mortality rate owing to infectious complications currently remains between 5% and 10% therefore, febrile neutropenia is considered a true oncologic emergency. Patients frequently require hospitalization for prompt administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics that are critical to avoid morbidity and mortality. 

Although not typically life-threatening, spinal cord compression is a true oncologic emergency because delays in treatment by mere hours may lead to permanent neurologic dysfunction. It is therefore incumbent on practitioners to... 

Chap. 96 - Oncologic Emergencies Universal Program Number 014-999-07-111-H04... 

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