Oncologic Emergencies
An oncologic emergency is an acute health problem caused by the cancer or its treatment and requires immediate treatment.
Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia is when your heart is not beating normally. It can be too fast or too slow. Arrhythmia is common and there are many types.
Cardiac Tamponade
Cardiac tamponade is a health problem affecting the heart. Blood or fluid collects in the pericardium (the sac that surrounds the heart) which puts extra pressure on the heart. This pressure prevents the heart from circulating enough blood to vital organs.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in a vein deep in the body.
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) is a disorder associated with excessive bleeding and/or excess clotting.
Hemorrhagic Cystitis (Bleeding from the Bladder)
Hemorrhagic cystitis is inflammation and bleeding from the lining of the bladder, which can be caused by certain chemotherapy medications.
Hypercalcemia (Elevated Blood Calcium Level)
Hypercalcemia is a high level of calcium in the blood, which can happen with some types of cancer.
Neutropenic Fever
Neutropenic fever is a fever while a patient is neutropenic. A fever in a neutropenic patient is a temperature of or greater than 100.4°F or 38.0°C.
Rectal Fistula
A rectal fistula is an opening that is created between the rectum (anus) and an adjacent structure such as a gland or the urethra.
Sepsis (Blood Stream Infection)
Sepsis is a systemic (body-wide) response to an infection that people with compromised immune systems, such as cancer patients, are particularly at risk for developing sepsis.
Spinal Cord Compression
Spinal cord compression happens when there is pressure on an area of the spinal cord, typically caused by cancer cells.
Superior Vena Cava (SVC) Syndrome
SVC (Superior Vena Cava) syndrome is considered an “oncologic emergency”, which is an acute health problem caused by the cancer or its treatment and requires immediate treatment.
Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)
SIADH is a condition in which antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is being produced somewhere in the body other than the hypothalamus, where it is normally produced. This can be caused by cancer or the treatments used during cancer treatment.
Thromboembolism (Blood Clot)
Thromboembolism is a blood clot that has broken off and has caused a block in a blood vessel.
Tumor Lysis Syndrome
Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is an oncologic emergency in which the rapid breakdown of cells causes an imbalance of chemicals and electrolytes in the body. Attempts are made to prevent TLS but in some cases, treatment may be necessary.