[Acute tumor lysis syndrome: update on therapy]

The tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a set of complications that can arise from treatment of high burden, drug sensitive and rapidly proliferating neoplasm particularly of hematological origin. This syndrome can be observed before any treatment because of spontaneous tumoral cellular death, and is generally worsened when chemotherapy is initiated.

Although TLS is primarily observed during therapy of acute leukemia, Burkitt's lymphomas and lymphoblastic lymphomas, it can also be observed in other hematological malignancies and during the treatment of rare solid tumors. Important progress has recently been made in the management of TLS. The use of urate oxydase can rapidly control TLS induced hyperuricemia, which help to prevent the risk of calcium phosphate crystal precipitation.

A global strategy for the management of SLT, combining adapted hydration, urate oxydase, and a close cooperation between intensive care units and hematology units can control this complication in most of the patients. The early management of TLS can, indeed, have an impact on the global therapy of these patients who need to be treated with high-dose anti-cancer agents with renal elimination.