Acute tumor lysis syndrome associated with concurrent biochemotherapy of metastatic melanoma - A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND. Treatment of solid tumors rarely has been associated with tumor lysis syndrome. However, to the authors' knowledge the clinical scenario h as not been reported previously in melanoma patients. METHODS. A patient with bulky metastatic melanoma was treated with concurre nt biochemotherapy using interleulin-2, interferon-alpha, and a combination of cisplatin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine. RESULTS. Within 24 hours of the initiation of treatment, brisk tumor lysis occurred and led to a fatal outcome. CONCLUSIONS. Improvements in the treatment of solid tumors may increase the incidence of tumor lysis syndrome for tumors once believed to be marginall y responsive. Oncologists should remain cognizant of this problem as more a ctive regimens become available. Cancer 1999;85:1055-9. (C) 1999 American C ancer Society.