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Review
. 2021 Jul 27:2021:4511968.
doi: 10.1155/2021/4511968. eCollection 2021.

Evaluation and Management of Genitourinary Emergencies in Patients with Cancer

Demis N Lipe  1 , Phillip B Mann  2 , Rodrick Babakhanlou  1 , Maria T Cruz Carreras  1 , A Guido Hita  1 , Monica K Wattana  1
Affiliations
Review

Evaluation and Management of Genitourinary Emergencies in Patients with Cancer

Demis N Lipe et al. Emerg Med Int. .

Abstract

Background: Genitourinary emergencies in cancer patients are common. Most cancer treatments are administered in the outpatient setting, and patients with complications often visit the emergency department. However, there is no recent emergency medicine literature review focusing on genitourinary emergencies in the oncologic population. Objective of the review. To increase awareness of common genitourinary emergencies in patients with cancer and enable the prompt recognition and appropriate management of these conditions. Discussion. Genitourinary emergencies in patients with cancer require a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. The most common genitourinary emergencies in patients with cancer are related to infection, obstructive uropathy, hemorrhagic cystitis, and complications associated with urinary diversions. The treatment approach in patients with infections, including viral infections, is similar to those without cancer. Understanding the changes in the anatomy of patients with urinary diversions or fistulas can help with the management of genitourinary emergencies.

Conclusions: Familiarization with the uniqueness of genitourinary emergencies in patients with cancer is important for emergency physicians.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest in this study.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Continent cutaneous diversion. The ureters are attached to a pouch created by a bowel segment (ileum or colon). The pouch is then brought to the skin as a stoma. The urinary bladder and urethra are rendered nonfunctional by surgical removal or obliteration.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Noncontinent cutaneous diversion. Urine is drained from the ureters to a conduit constructed from the ileum or colon. The conduit is anastomosed to the abdominal skin surface, and urine is collected in an external appliance.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Orthotopic bladder substitution. A section of the bowel is used to reconstruct the bladder, allowing the use of the native urethral sphincter.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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