[Oncologic emergencies]

Many complications are frequently associated in patients with cancer which require immediate treatment. Oncologic emergencies are widely varying, which include superior vena cava syndrome, intracranial hypertension, spinal cord compression, metabolic emergencies, surgical emergencies, urologic emergencies, etc. In the treatment of these emergencies, the decision is most difficult because the usual responses and criteria for decision making are altered, and specific expertise is necessary. In patient with cancer, a situation in which complex problems are frequent, and the use of more sophisticated studies may be critical in defining and following acute, emergent problems. Furthermore, poor host "reserve" may make earlier decision-making essential, even though apparent risks are greater and diagnosis may be less certain. In this review, pathogenesis, manifestation, diagnosis, and treatment of principal oncologic emergencies (hypercalcemia, hyponatremia, tumor hypoglycemia, DIC, and cardiac tamponade) were evaluated from the view point of medical oncology.