Imaging and Oncological Emergencies

Abstract

Cancer is the second most common cause of mortality in United States and despite of higher cancer related deaths, the over prevalence of malignancy is high. The primary reason for this observation is growing incidence due to earlier detection and improved survival of patients with various malignant disorders. On the same note we have also observed higher number of visits of these patients with multitude of cancer related complications to emergency department. As a matter of fact, cancer related complications could occur at any stage of disease process or may be the first manifestation of malignancy. Most of these visits are due to disease progression and less commonly by treatment associated or non-malignant related problems. Oncologic complications like obstruction of duct, vessel or hollow organ, bleeding, thrombosis or infiltration usually require imaging for diagnosis.