Onkológia 1/2012

Acute hematologic emergencies in oncology

Malignant disease and its treatment are often being complicated by development of serious and at times life-threatening emergencies. Early recognition and treatment of these acute events are important to reduce morbidity and mortality in cancer pacients. The following article provides an overview of several hematologic emergencies, which occur due abnormal hemopoesis (e.g. hyperleukocytosis, anemia, thrombocytopenia), abnormal hemostasis (e.g. hemorrhage, pulmonary embolism, disseminated intravascular coagulation), or are related to blood products transfusions (transfuse reactions).

Keywords: hematologic emergencies, hemorrhage, anemia, thrombocytopenia, pulmonary embolism, disseminated intravascular coagulation, hyperleukocytosis, transfuse reactions.