Urologic manifestations of hematologic disease sickle cell, leukemia, and thromboembolic disease

Advances in medicine are allowing patients with hematologic disease to live longer and healthier lives than ever before. As these patients age, however, manifestations of their disease processes may develop as complications in other organ systems. We discussed the major genitourinary complications of sickle cell anemia, leukemia, and thromboembolic disease. These range from the benign inability to concentrate urine that is seen in sickle cell disease to renal infarction that results from nephrotic syndrome. Our ability to treat and prevent these complications will improve as our understanding of these disease processes and their pathophysiology grows. Additionally, it is important for urologists to understand the underlying pathophysiology of hematologic disease to best serve the patients. For example, it may be the urologist who makes the diagnosis of ovarian vein thrombosis in a pregnant woman with right lower quadrant pain and fever. This diagnosis, with the proper treatment of antibiotics and anticoagulation, could prevent the potential development of septic thrombophlebitis. Urologists will increasingly be called upon to deal with the manifestations of these complex diseases as these patients are living longer. It is our duty to educate ourselves about these disease processes so that we can make the best clinical decisions for our patients.