When the bad gets worse: Oncologic Emergencies

Oncologic emergencies are a relatively common cause of mortality in malignancy, and therefore must be addressed urgently in coordination with Hem/Onc teams.

Multiple Myeloma Emergencies

Cord compression is the most important emergency diagnosis. The absence of neurologic symptoms does not preclude cord compression. The two most common causes of death in multiple myeloma patients are frequent infections, usually respiratory, and renal failure. Their disease process and medications make them immunocompromised.

An Urgent Care Approach to Malignancy Complications

The prevalence of cancer is increasing—and along with it, malignancy-associated complications. Early recognition and management of these conditions is vital to alleviating patient morbidity and maximizing quality of life.

Best Case Ever 16: Oncologic Emergencies

As a bonus to Episode 33 on oncologic emergencies, Dr. John Foote, the CCFP(EM) residency program director at the University of Toronto tells us about his Best Case Ever in which he missed an important cancer-related diagnosis.

Episode 33: Oncologic Emergencies

5 important presentations in the patient with cancer: fever, shortness of breath, altered mental status, back pain and acute renal failure; with specific attention to key cancer-related emergencies such as febrile neutropenia, hypercalcemia, superior vena cava syndrome, hyperviscosity syndrome and tumor lysis syndrome.

Neuro-Oncology Emergencies

Spinal cord compression is common, affecting ~5-10% of patients with cancer.

Oncologic Emergencies

Cancer patients are at risk for several life-threatening emergencies, including metabolic, cardiologic, neurologic, and infectious events. Many of these high-risk situations can be prevented or effectively managed if promptly recognized and urgently treated.

Oncologic Emergencies

This post is part of a series developed in preparation for participation in ACEP SimWars. It contains a review of several prominent emergency medicine topics which may be relevant for board preparation.

Oncologic Emergencies & Emerging Treatments

The oncologic revolution is upon us!

Oncologic Emergencies Part I: Pearls and Pitfalls

With the aging population in the U.S., the incidence of malignancy is increasing. Many patients with cancer present to EDs, and some of these presentations are uniquely related to the respective malignancy. These oncologic emergencies can be broken into four categories: local physical effects, biochemical effects, hematologic effects, and therapy effects.

Oncologic Emergencies—The Old, the New, and the Deadly

Oncologic emergencies can be seen as an initial presentation of the disease or precipitated by its treatment.

Pearl of the day - Managing Oncologic Emergencies

Metastatic spinal cord compression - Corticosteroids are first line. In most cases, give dexamethasone 10mg IV.

REBEL Core Cast 7.0 – Oncologic Emergencies

Hyperviscosity Syndrome happens when elevated WBCs or severe hyperproteinemia cause high serum viscosity and micro-circulatory problems in patients with Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, multiple myeloma or acute leukemia.

Selected Oncologic Emergencies

Therapies continue to prolong life often with high risks of side effects, and emergency physicians need to be equipped to treat complications of this treatment and importantly cancer morbidity itself.