Emergencies

Oncological emergencies are a group of conditions that are potentially life threatening, directly or indirectly related to a patient’s tumor or its treatment. The signs and symptoms of oncologic emergencies are often common problems experienced by cancer patients such as nausea, vomiting, pain, headache, dyspnea, and fever. It is critical for clinicians across all specialties to be able to suspect, recognize, and initiate early treatment for potential oncological emergencies that may arise in cancer patients. Early detection and timely management of oncological emergencies are essential for successful outcome. Oncologic emergencies are classified into metabolic, hematological, structural, and treatment related. This chapter covers important oncological emergencies, including tumor lysis syndrome, hypercalcemia, superior venous cava obstruction, spinal cord compression, brain metastasis, pediatric emergencies, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenic sepsis.