Biomaterial Database

Oncologic emergencies. 1997

K M Kelly, and B Lange

Department of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, USA.

The prognosis for the child with cancer has improved dramatically over the past decades. With this success comes the need for recognition and proper treatment of emergencies. Respiratory or circulatory failure may arise from compression of the SVC or airway. Epidural spinal cord compression by tumor may lead to irreversible paraplegia or urinary incontinence if intervention is not rapid. Raised intracranial pressure may be a life-threatening presentation of a brain tumor. Bone marrow failure, with anemia and thrombocytopenia, is associated with malignant infiltration of the marrow. Hyperleukocytosis carries a high risk of thrombotic events if not treated promptly. Coagulation abnormalities are seen in many childhood cancers at the time of diagnosis. Life-threatening metabolic abnormalities are observed at presentation in children with leukemia and lymphoma. Hypercalcemia, although rare, may be a difficult situation to correct. Immediate attention to these emergencies and appropriate treatment may save the life of a child with cancer or make his or her subsequent course just a little smoother.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007427	Intracranial Pressure	Pressure within the cranial cavity. It is influenced by brain mass, the circulatory system, CSF dynamics, and skull rigidity.	Intracerebral Pressure,Subarachnoid Pressure,Intracerebral Pressures,Intracranial Pressures,Pressure, Intracerebral,Pressure, Intracranial,Pressure, Subarachnoid,Pressures, Intracerebral,Pressures, Intracranial,Pressures, Subarachnoid,Subarachnoid Pressures
D009369	Neoplasms	New abnormal growth of tissue. Malignant neoplasms show a greater degree of anaplasia and have the properties of invasion and metastasis, compared to benign neoplasms.	Benign Neoplasm,Cancer,Malignant Neoplasm,Tumor,Tumors,Benign Neoplasms,Malignancy,Malignant Neoplasms,Neoplasia,Neoplasm,Neoplasms, Benign,Cancers,Malignancies,Neoplasias,Neoplasm, Benign,Neoplasm, Malignant,Neoplasms, Malignant
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D004630	Emergencies	Situations or conditions requiring immediate intervention to avoid serious adverse results.	Emergency
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006934	Hypercalcemia	Abnormally high level of calcium in the blood.	Milk-Alkali Syndrome,Hypercalcemias,Milk Alkali Syndrome,Syndrome, Milk-Alkali
D000465	Algorithms	A procedure consisting of a sequence of algebraic formulas and/or logical steps to calculate or determine a given task.	Algorithm
D013117	Spinal Cord Compression	Acute and chronic conditions characterized by external mechanical compression of the SPINAL CORD due to extramedullary neoplasm; EPIDURAL ABSCESS; SPINAL FRACTURES; bony deformities of the vertebral bodies; and other conditions. Clinical manifestations vary with the anatomic site of the lesion and may include localized pain, weakness, sensory loss, incontinence, and impotence.	Conus Medullaris Syndrome,Myelopathy, Compressive,Extramedullary Spinal Cord Compression,Spinal Cord Compression, Extramedullary,Compression, Spinal Cord,Compressions, Spinal Cord,Compressive Myelopathy,Conus Medullaris Syndromes,Spinal Cord Compressions,Syndrome, Conus Medullaris,Syndromes, Conus Medullaris
D013479	Superior Vena Cava Syndrome	A condition that occurs when the obstruction of the thin-walled SUPERIOR VENA CAVA interrupts blood flow from the head, upper extremities, and thorax to the RIGHT ATRIUM. Obstruction can be caused by NEOPLASMS; THROMBOSIS; ANEURYSM; or external compression. The syndrome is characterized by swelling and/or CYANOSIS of the face, neck, and upper arms which is called Pemberton's sign. Classification of SVC obstruction is often based on COLLATERAL CIRCULATION.	Obstruction of the Superior Vena Cava,SVC Obstruction,SVC Syndrome,SVC Thrombosis,Superior Vena Cava Obstruction,Superior Vena Cava Thrombosis,Obstruction, SVC,SVC Obstructions,SVC Syndromes,SVC Thromboses,Syndrome, SVC,Thrombosis, SVC
D015275	Tumor Lysis Syndrome	A syndrome resulting from cytotoxic therapy, occurring generally in aggressive, rapidly proliferating lymphoproliferative disorders. It is characterized by combinations of hyperuricemia, lactic acidosis, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia.	Tumour Lysis Syndrome,Syndrome, Tumor Lysis,Syndrome, Tumour Lysis,Syndromes, Tumor Lysis,Syndromes, Tumour Lysis,Tumor Lysis Syndromes,Tumour Lysis Syndromes