Oncologic Emergencies: The Anesthesiologist's Perspective

Authors:
Michael W. Lew From the Division of Anesthesia, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California.

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Andres Falabella From the Division of Anesthesia, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California.

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Earl Moore-Jeffries From the Division of Anesthesia, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California.

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Russell J. Gray From the Division of Anesthesia, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California.

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Michael J. Sullivan From the Division of Anesthesia, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California.

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Volume/Issue:
Volume 5: Issue 9
Online Publication Date:
Oct 2007
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6004/jnccn.2007.0077
Full access

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. During the course of treatment, a cancer patient may present emergently to the hospital because of either the cancer itself or a manifestation of cancer therapy. Rarely, patients with cancer can present to the operating room with several emergent conditions that require the services of an anesthesiologist. The main oncologic emergencies affecting anesthesiologists relate to airway obstruction and cardiac-, neurologic-, gastrointestinal-, and endocrine-related conditions. Mismanagement of these crises can increase morbidity and mortality. This article addresses emergencies in patients with cancer and how they relate to anesthetic care.

Correspondence: Michael W. Lew, MD, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010. E-mail: mlew@coh.org
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Print ISSN:
1540-1405
Online ISSN:
1540-1413
Publisher:
National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Cover Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
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Copyright:
Copyright © 2007 by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Page Numbers:
9
Article Category:
Research Article
Received:
16 Dec 2006
Accepted:
14 Feb 2007
Print Publication Date:
01 Oct 2007
Online Publication Date:
Oct 2007
Keywords:
Cancer; anesthesia; emergencies

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