Tumor Lysis Syndrome Workup

  • Author: Koyamangalath Krishnan, MD, FRCP, FACP; Chief Editor: Jules E Harris, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 16, 2012
 

Approach Considerations

As previously stated, early recognition of signs and symptoms of patients at risk for tumor lysis syndrome, including identification of abnormal clinical and laboratory values, can lead to successful prevention of the otherwise life-threatening complications of the condition.

In patients with tumor lysis syndrome, a sample of blood obtained by a wide-bore needle or, preferably, an indwelling cannula should be used to obtain a biochemical profile of the patient for monitoring, including of serum sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate.

Urine pH and output

If hyperuricemia develops, urine alkalinization prevents renal precipitation of uric acid but may increase the risks for nephrocalcinosis. If alkaline diuresis is employed, regular determinations of urine pH should guide the extent of therapy.

Because increased urine flow rates help to inhibit crystal deposition in renal tubules, close monitoring of urine output is necessary to assess adequacy of hydration. Monitoring urine output for signs of oliguric renal failure is also necessary.

Imaging studies

Radiography of the chest is useful to determine the presence of a large tumor (eg, mediastinal mass). Perform ultrasonography or computed tomography (CT) scanning of the abdomen and retroperitoneum immediately if renal failure or mass lesions in the abdomen are present. Intravenous (IV) contrast may be contraindicated in a patient with renal insufficiency.

Cardiac monitoring

Frequent cardiac assessment (electrocardiography [ECG] or continuous cardiac monitoring) is necessary to monitor electrocardiographic changes, which may herald a lethal arrhythmia caused by potassium and calcium disturbances.

Histologic findings

Pathologic studies demonstrate deposits of uric acid within the distal renal tubule lumina, which cause intrarenal hydronephrosis. Uric acid crystals can also be seen within tubular epithelial cells and the medullary microcirculation. Uric acid precipitates may also occur in the renal pelvis and ureters, leading to hydronephrosis and acute renal failure from extrarenal sources.

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Blood Chemistry

High-risk patients should have laboratory monitoring (BUN, creatinine, phosphate, uric acid, and calcium levels) prior to therapy and for 48-72 hours after treatment induction. Follow measurements at least twice daily or more often if evidence of tumor lysis syndrome develops.

Most patients with tumor lysis syndrome have laboratory derangements in lactate dehydrogenase, potassium, phosphate, calcium, and uric acid, as well as abnormal renal functions, occurring 1-3 days after chemotherapy initiation. Hyperkalemia is often the first life-threatening abnormality.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Koyamangalath Krishnan, MD, FRCP, FACP  Paul Dishner Endowed Chair of Excellence in Medicine, Professor of Medicine and Chief of Hematology-Oncology, James H Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University

Koyamangalath Krishnan, MD, FRCP, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Society of Hematology, and Royal College of Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Devapiran Jaishankar, MBBS  Associate Professor, Division of Oncology, East Tennessee State University, James H Quillen College of Medicine

Devapiran Jaishankar, MBBS is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and American Society of Hematology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Jules E Harris, MD  Clinical Professor of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Arizona Cancer Center

Jules E Harris, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association of Immunologists, American Society of Hematology, and Central Society for Clinical Research

Disclosure: GlobeImmune Salary Consulting

Additional Contributors

Steven K Bergstrom, MD Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center of Oakland

Steven K Bergstrom, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Oncology Group, and International Society for Experimental Hematology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Max J Coppes, MD, PhD, MBA Senior Vice President, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's National Medical Center; Professor of Medicine, Oncology, and Pediatrics, Georgetown University School of Medicine; Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Max J Coppes, MD, PhD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Stephan A Grupp, MD, PhD Director, Stem Cell Biology Program, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Stephan A Grupp, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, American Society of Hematology, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Alan K Ikeda, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA; Associate Director of Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Mattel Children's Hospital

Alan K Ikeda, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, and American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Disclosure: emedicine Honoraria author

Koyamangalath Krishnan, MD, FRCP, FACP Paul Dishner Endowed Chair of Excellence in Medicine, Professor of Medicine and Chief of Hematology-Oncology, James H Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University

Koyamangalath Krishnan, MD, FRCP, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Society of Hematology, and Royal College of Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Kathleen M Sakamoto, MD, PhD Professor and Chief, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Vice-Chair of Research, Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA; Co-Associate Program Director of the Signal Transduction Program Area, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, California Nanosystems Institute and Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Kathleen M Sakamoto, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Hematology, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, International Society for Experimental Hematology, Society for Pediatric Research, and Western Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Amit P Sarnaik, MD Staff Physician, Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University and Children's Hospital of Michigan

Amit P Sarnaik, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Philip Schulman, MD Chief, Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine

Philip Schulman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American College of Physicians, American Society of Hematology, and Medical Society of the State of New York

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Mary L Windle, PharmD Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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