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Tumor Lysis Syndrome

Rapid destruction of cancer cells can result in the release of cellular breakdown products such is Uric Acid, Potassium, Phosphorous, Acidic ions, etc. . Death of cancer cells could be natural or secondary to chemotherapy. Alternatively, chemotherapy can induce this syndrome in patients whose cancers are very sensitive to treatment e.g. Leukemias, as well as small cell lung cancer and breast cancer . Uric acid and Calcium Phosphate can precipitate in kidneys and cause kidney failure.

Signs and symptoms

In early stages, patients may have no symptoms but progression of this process may lead into:

• Cardiac dysfunction

• Irregular heartbeat

• Impairment and loss of consciousness

• Kidney failure

• Shortness of breath

• High Potassium levels

• High Uric acid levels

• Low calcium levels

Treatment:

Patients should be treated with intravenous fluids, medicines that increase the urine flow, i.e. Lasix, as well as medicine that would increase excretion of uric acid from urine, i.e. Zyloprim. In patients who are to receive chemotherapy for Acute Leukemias and Lymphomas, this complication should be taught of and prevented by using the same remedies, however prior to initiation of chemotherapy. In severe cases, kidney dialysis may be required to save the patient's life.