Oncology presentations Flashcards
Neutropenic Fever
recurrent 38’C+
or single 38.3’C+
and presence of neutropenia,
absolute neutrophil count (ANC) less than 500 cells/mL
(normal is above 1500)
Sx: vague and mild initially, but may rapidly progress to sepsis and death
- site & source of infection varies
Spinal Cord Compression
Back pain at the level of the tumor mass, which may be aggravated by lying down, weight bearing, sneezing, or coughing
Mix of nerve root and spinal cord symptoms
Lower extremity weakness, hyperreflexia, motor sensory loss, loss of reflexes, loss of bowel or bladder fx, paraplegia
Hypercalcemia
Symptoms: may include polydipsia, polyuria, generalized weakness, lethargy, anorexia, N/V, constipation, abdominal pain, AMS and psychosis
-rare with calcium < 12 mg/dL
(remodel and fracture) Bones, Kidney Stones, GI Groans, Psychiatric overtones
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Tumor Lysis Syndrome
occurs **1 to 3 days **following radiochemotherapy of most commonly hematologic malignancies, especially Burkitt lymphoma
- Patient may present with lethargy, N/V, cloudy urine, and neuromuscular irritability, muscular spasm, seizure and altered mentation associated with hypocalcemia
hyperkalemia & hypocalcemia, can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmia
**Acute kidney injury **can develop from the crystallization of uric acid & CaPO4 within the renal tubules
- release of nucleic acids, proteins, phosphorus, and potassium from cells
-hyperphosphatemia and hyperkalemia, hyperuricemia develop quick if impaired metabolism and excretion
Pericardial Effusion/ Cardiac Tamponade
fatigue, chest heaviness, dyspnea, palpitations, cough and syncope
SVC Syndrome
gradual onset of dyspnea, chest pain, cough and, facial and arm swelling; cerebral edema is rare
Thromboembolic Event
hx of dyspnea, fever, cough, DOE (dyspnea on exertion), pleuritic chest pain, leg pain or swelling, and rarely hemoptysis
