Tumour lysis syndrome in a patient with intravascular spread from a recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer

BMJ Case Rep. 2013 Apr 23:2013:bcr2013009532. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-009532.

Abstract

Tumour lysis syndrome is a potentially life-threatening oncological emergency most commonly encountered in patients with rapidly proliferating, treatment-responsive haematological malignancies. It is rarely observed in solid tumours and, to our knowledge, this is the first time that it has been reported in a cancer with an intravascular tumour extension. In this report, we describe a case of a woman who presented with recurrent ovarian cancer and was found to have tumour invading into her vasculature. The patient subsequently developed tumour lysis syndrome after receiving chemotherapy. The case highlights the importance of considering tumour lysis syndrome prophylaxis when treating patients with intravascular involvement from a solid malignancy even if, as in this case, it is a recurrent tumour. Included is a brief review of the literature. We propose that 'intravascular tumour invasion is recognised as an important risk factor for the development of tumour lysis syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Disease Progression
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / drug therapy*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Tumor Lysis Syndrome / etiology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents