Emergencies Are Both Life Threatening And Detrimental On A...

Oncologic Emergencies are both life threatening and detrimental to a patient’s health. As stated by (Tan), â€Å"An oncologic emergency is a clinical condition resulting from a structural or metabolic change caused by cancer or its treatment that requires immediate medical intervention to prevent loss of life or quality of life.† Oncologic emergencies can be further classified as metabolic, hematologic, neurologic, or cardiovascular. Superior vena cava syndrome and spinal cord compression can be considered oncologic emergencies. Superior vena cava syndrome is classified as cardiovascular while spinal cord compression is classified as neurologic and/or structural. Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the disease. When†¦show more content†¦Invasion or external compression can cause an SVC blockage. One way external compression can occur is by the involvement of lymph nodes. When cancer is present in the body, there is a chance that it can spr ead to surrounding lymph nodes. If this occurs, the lymph nodes can enlarge and compress the SVC and cause an obstruction. Other ways external compression can occur are by the right lung, other mediastinal structures, or by thrombosis of blood within the vein itself. As blood flow becomes blocked, the blood from the upper body is unable to drain back into the heart correctly. These collaterals provide an alternate pathway so the blood can ultimately reach the right atrium. Collateral veins can originate from the azygos vein, lateral thoracic, inter mammary, and esophageal venous systems. Over a time period of several weeks, the alternate pathways begin to dilate which results in venous pressure in the upper body to elevate. By the venous pressure remaining elevated, signs and symptoms will become noticeable. How quickly the signs and symptoms manifest is dependent upon how fast the SVC becomes congested in relation to the formation of venous collaterals. Research states that â€Å"Patients with malignant disease may develop symptoms of SVC syndrome within weeks to months because rapid tumor growth does not allow adequate time to develop collateral flow.† (Drews and Rabkin) Out of all the signs and symptoms that can occur,