Tumor lysis syndrome after induction chemotherapy in small-cell lung carcinoma

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is responsive to combination chemotherapy. Response rates of 50-80% can be achieved depending on whether the cancer is limited or extensive. Rarely, patients with SCLC respond so rapidly to induction chemotherapy that they develop a tumor lysis syndrome. This syndrome may lead to azotemia and renal failure if not recognized early and treated appropriately. This complication of therapy is important to recognize as the treatment of SCLC is sometimes administered on an outpatient basis. In addition, certain chemotherapeutic agents used in SCLC, such as cis-platin, are nephrotoxic and could potentially aggravate the azotemia secondary to the tumor lysis syndrome.