What is a neutropenic emergency?
A neutropenic fever is an emergency in a cancer patient. Patients with neutropenia are unable to fight infection. This is due to a low number of neutrophils. An infection can quickly turn into sepsis and become life threatening.
What are examples of oncologic emergencies?
Summary of Oncologic Emergencies
| Condition | Cancer association |
|---|---|
| Hypercalcemia of malignancy | Multiple myeloma; breast cancer; squamous cell carcinoma of the head or neck, lung, kidney, or cervix |
| Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone | Small cell lung cancer |
| Hematologic | |
| Febrile neutropenia | Current chemotherapy |
What are the most common oncologic emergencies?
The common oncologic emergencies include Superior Vena Cava Syndrome (SVCS) and Superior Mediastinal Syndrome (SMS), Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS), Hyperleukocytosis and Febrile Neutropenia. SVCS denotes compression, obstruction or thrombosis of SVC and SMS denotes SVCS and tracheal compression.
What happens neutropenic sepsis?
Neutropenic sepsis is an emergency. Neutropenic sepsis is overwhelming infection that can affect people who have a low neutrophil (white blood cell) count. Chemotherapy and other treatments can cause a low neutrophil count. Be aware of signs and symptoms of infection in people who have a low neutrophil count.
What is the cause of neutropenic sepsis?
People with neutropenia are at risk of infection from a wide range of potential pathogens. Neutropenic sepsis is commonly caused by bacterial infection with Gram-positive pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus sp, Streptococcus pneumoniae and S.
How serious is neutropenic sepsis?
Neutropenic sepsis is a whole-body reaction to an infection. It’s a serious condition that can be life-threatening. It can happen when you have a low level of neutrophils and an infection at the same time. You may also hear it called febrile neutropenia.
Is hypercalcemia an oncological emergency?
Two oncologic emergencies are hypercalcemia of malignancy and tumor lysis syndrome. Pharmacists play an essential role in appropriately managing the pharmacotherapeutic agents used for prevention and treatment of oncologic emergencies in order to improve quality of life, even in the setting of terminal illness.
What is a metabolic oncologic emergencies?
Metabolic emergencies include tumor lysis syndrome, hypercalcemia of malignancy, and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH).
What is a metabolic oncologic emergency?