Understanding oncologic emergencies and related emergency department visits and hospitalizations: A systematic review Journal Article
| Authors: | Yilmaz, S.; Aryal, K.; King, J.; Bischof, J. J.; Hong, A. S.; Wood, N.; Gould Rothberg, B. E.; Hudson, M. F.; Heinert, S. W.; Wattana, M. K.; Coyne, C. J.; Reyes-Gibby, C.; Todd, K.; Lyman, G.; Klotz, A.; Abar, B.; Grudzen, C.; Bastani, A.; Baugh, C. W.; Henning, D. J.; Bernstein, S.; Rico, J. F.; Ryan, R. J.; Yeung, S. C. J.; Qdaisat, A.; Padela, A.; Madsen, T. E.; Liu, R.; Adler, D. |
| Article Title: | Understanding oncologic emergencies and related emergency department visits and hospitalizations: A systematic review |
| Abstract: | Background: Patients with cancer frequently visit the emergency department (ED) and are at high risk for hospitalization due to severe illness from cancer progression or treatment side effects. With an aging population and rising cancer incidence rates worldwide, it is crucial to understand how EDs and other acute care venues manage oncologic emergencies. Insights from other nations and health systems may inform resources necessary for optimal ED management and novel care delivery pathways. We described clinical management of oncologic emergencies and their contribution to ED visits and hospitalizations worldwide. Methods: We performed a systematic review of peer-reviewed original research studies published in the English language between January 1st, 2003, to December 31st, 2022, garnered from PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE. We included all studies investigating adult (≥ 18 years) cancer patients with emergency visits. We examined chief complaints or predictors of ED use that explicitly defined oncologic emergencies. Results: The search strategy yielded 49 articles addressing cancer-related emergency visits. Most publications reported single-site studies (n = 34/49), with approximately even distribution across clinical settings- ED (n = 22/49) and acute care hospital/ICU (n = 27/49). The number of patient observations varied widely among the published studies (range: 9 – 87,555 patients), with most studies not specifying the cancer type (n = 33/49), stage (n = 41/49), or treatment type (n = 36/49). Most studies (n = 31/49) examined patients aged ≥ 60 years. Infection was the most common oncologic emergency documented (n = 22/49), followed by pain (n = 20/49), dyspnea (n = 19/49), and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (n = 17/49). Interventions within the ED or hospital ranged from pharmacological management with opioids (n = 11/49), antibiotics (n = 9/49), corticosteroids (n = 5/49), and invasive procedures (e.g., palliative stenting; n = 13/49) or surgical interventions (n = 2/49). Conclusion: Limited research specifically addresses oncologic emergencies despite the international prevalence of ED presentations among cancer patients. Patients with cancer presenting to the ED appear to have a variety of complaints which could result from their cancers and thus may require tailored diagnostic and intervention pathways to provide optimal acute care. Further acute geriatric oncology research may clarify the optimal management strategies to improve the outcomes for this vulnerable patient population. © The Author(s) 2025. |
| Keywords: | antibiotic agent; cancer surgery; surgical technique; prednisone; review; hepatitis; diarrhea; cancer patient; cancer radiotherapy; cancer staging; antineoplastic agent; neoplasm; neoplasms; cancer palliative therapy; colorectal cancer; diagnostic procedure; cancer immunotherapy; infection; nephrotoxicity; pain; lung disease; opiate; oxygen; lung cancer; dexamethasone; prediction; dyspnea; febrile neutropenia; hyperglycemia; pneumonia; prostate cancer; salbutamol; intensive care unit; emergency service, hospital; hospitalization; peer review; systematic review; cardiotoxicity; medical research; lymphoma; sepsis; medline; colitis; intestine obstruction; morphine; epidemiology; corticosteroid; hydromorphone; health care delivery; therapy; magnesium sulfate; radiation pneumonia; skin infection; geriatric care; respiratory tract disease; fentanyl; hypertensive factor; artificial ventilation; respiratory failure; oxycodone; individualization; embase; vulnerable population; enterocolitis; health care facility; emergency; cytokine release syndrome; acute care; vasoactive agent; emergencies; older adults; noninvasive ventilation; immune checkpoint inhibitor; emergency department; humans; human; web of science; oncologic emergencies; oncologic emergency; hospital emergency service; emergency room visits; emergency department visit; gastrointestinal discomfort |
| Journal Title: | BMC Emergency Medicine |
| Volume: | 25 |
| ISSN: | 1471-227X |
| Publisher: | Biomed Central Ltd |
| Date Published: | 2025-03-05 |
| Start Page: | 40 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1186/s12873-025-01183-2 |
| PUBMED: | 40045233 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PMCID: | PMC11883922 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Review -- Source: Scopus |
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