Common emergencies in cancer medicine: cardiovascular and neurologic syndromes

A myriad of multisystem disorders may result from primary malignant disease, metastasis, or treatment. Neoplastic pericardial disease in the form of malignant effusions, tamponade, and pericarditis are not uncommonly seen. Compromise of blood return to the right side of the heart due to the superior vena cava syndrome is a well known entity that is also still undergoing examination of the variety of treatment options available. The central and peripheral nervous systems also may be involved from both primary or secondary malignant disease. The recognition, diagnostic approach, natural history, and therapeutic options will be reviewed.