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Case Reports
. 2015 Oct;6(5):464-471.
doi: 10.14740/wjon946w. Epub 2015 Oct 26.

Spontaneous Tumor Lysis Syndrome in Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Rare Complication

Chanudi Weerasinghe  1 , Mazen Zaarour  1 , Sami Arnaout  1 , Gwenalyn Garcia  2 , Meekoo Dhar  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Spontaneous Tumor Lysis Syndrome in Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Rare Complication

Chanudi Weerasinghe et al. World J Oncol. 2015 Oct.

Abstract

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a life-threatening condition which consists of a constellation of electrolyte imbalances, acute renal failure, seizure, and arrhythmias. It is most commonly seen with hematologic malignancies after the initiation of chemotherapy. However, it can also occur spontaneously, prior to treatment with cytotoxic agents. TLS has been rarely described with non-hematologic solid tumors, and it is even more uncommon to have spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome (STLS) in solid tumors. To our knowledge, only two cases of STLS in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) were reported in the literature. Herein, we present the case of a patient with metastatic SCLC who developed STLS. Our case highlights that in the setting of metastatic solid tumors, STLS must be in the differential diagnosis, to allow prompt initiation of prophylaxis and treatment.

Keywords: Lung cancer; Small-cell lung cancer; Spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome; Tumor lysis syndrome.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have stated that they have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Innumerable hepatic masses.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Metastases to cervical spine and supraclavicular lymph nodes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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