Oncologic mechanical emergencies

Abstract

Prevalence of cancer and its various related complications continues to rise. Increasingly these life-threatening complications are initially managed in the emergency department, making a prompt and accurate diagnosis crucial to effectively institute the proper treatment and establish goals of care. The following oncologic emergencies are reviewed in this article: pericardial tamponade, superior vena cava syndrome, brain metastasis, malignant spinal cord compression, and hyperviscosity syndrome.

Keywords: Brain metastasis; Hyperviscosity syndrome; Metastatic spinal cord compression; Pericardial tamponade; Superior vena cava syndrome.