Most emergencies can manifest in the blink of an eye. Whether it’s a medical emergency, a car accident, an act of nature, or something else, emergencies are sudden crises that require swift, immediate action. For many patients with cancer, among the most distressing challenges along the treatment journey is the possibility of experiencing an oncologic emergency. Many of these widely varying complications are potentially life threatening, appearing quickly and without warning and heralding progressive disease.
The number of different, potentially deadly oncologic emergencies patients encounter can present significant challenges to healthcare providers and caregivers. Oncology nurses are crucial to recognizing and managing the signs and symptoms of oncologic emergencies.