Hematologic and oncologic emergencies - Doing the most good in the least time

Several urgent problems in oncology and hematology may require that primary care physicians start therapy without waiting for subspecialist interventi on. Most of these problems are related to chemotherapy, which often consist s of multidrug immunosuppressive regimens, or to the effects of the cancer itself, such as hypercalcemia from bone metastasis or spinal cord compressi on from tumor extension. In this article, Dr Brigden reviews 11 such emerge ncies and the most efficient steps to take to manage them.