Tumor Lysis Syndrome.
Angela Bray Lindsay1, Noah J Levy1, Margaret L McAndrew1
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, 1250 E Marshall Street, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America
|July 3, 2025
Summary
Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a critical oncologic emergency. Prevention via hydration and medications is key to managing TLS risks like kidney injury and arrhythmia.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nephrology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a life-threatening oncologic emergency.
- Characterized by rapid tumor cell breakdown, leading to severe electrolyte imbalances (hyperkalemia, hyperuricemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia).
- Associated with significant risks including acute kidney injury (AKI), cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and management strategies for tumor lysis syndrome.
- To emphasize the importance of early recognition and preventative measures in at-risk patients.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on tumor lysis syndrome.
- Analysis of clinical guidelines and case reports regarding TLS management.
- Discussion of pharmacological interventions and supportive care.
Main Results:
- TLS necessitates prompt management including hydration and electrolyte correction.
- Uric acid-lowering agents like rasburicase and allopurinol are crucial.
- Prophylactic measures, including aggressive intravenous hydration and preemptive medication, are vital for preventing TLS.
Conclusions:
- Early identification and intervention are critical for improving outcomes in TLS.
- Preventative strategies are paramount in mitigating the severe complications of tumor lysis syndrome.
- Multidisciplinary care is essential for managing this oncologic emergency.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Tumor Immunotherapy
665
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
665
Metastasis
5.7K
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
5.7K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
8.1K
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
8.1K


