[Emergencies in oncology]

Emergencies in oncologic patients are common and diverse. Almost every cancer patient will develop at least one emergency situation at the beginning or in the further course of his disease. The cancer itself or cancer treatment typically give rise to otherwise rare emergency development. In this review detailed descriptions of spatial cord compression syndrome, superior vena cava obstruction as well as hypercalcemia are given. Finally problems due to cerebral metastases, pulmonary embolism, hyperviscosity and hyperuricemia are briefly summarized.