Oncological Emergency Flashcards
What are some of the oncology Al emergencies
Superior vena cava obstruction
Common cause of superior vena cava obstruction
Most commonly associated with PRIMARY lung cancer - small cell lung cancer
= LYMPHOMA =
= METASTATIC SEMINOMA, KAPOSI’S SARCOMA, BREAST CANCER=
Mediastinal tumors / fibrosis
= GOITRE =
SVC thrombosis
Clinical features of SVC obstruction
= DYSOPNEA =
Swelling of face neck and arms - face red aswell
bulging of veins in the forehead
= CONJUNCTIVAL AND PERIORBITAL EDEMA =
= PAPILLOEDEMA =
Pemberton sign - This is when you ask a patient to raise their arms until they touch the side of their face. If they develop cyanosis or worsening of their shortness of breath or facial congestion, it is said to be positive.
Headache -Worst in the morning
= PULSELESS jugular venous distension.
= VISUAL DISTURBANCE =
Management for SVC obstruction
= ADMINISTER OXYGEN =
Administer dexamethazone to dampen the inflammatory response of the tumor
(the evidence base supporting the use of glucocorticoids is weak but they are often given)
endovascular stenting is often the treatment of choice to provide symptom relief
certain malignancies such as
lymphoma, small cell lung cancer may benefit from =RADICAL CHEMOTHERAPY OR CHEMO-RADIOTHERAPY RATHER THAN STENTING =
