Patients with cancer in the emergency departments

Aleksandra Kotlińska-Lemieszek; Agnieszka Wyrwińska

eISSN: 2081-2833
ISSN: 2081-0016

Medycyna Paliatywna/Palliative Medicine

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3/2014
vol. 6

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abstract:

Review paper

Patients with cancer in the emergency departments

Aleksandra Kotlińska-Lemieszek

,

Agnieszka Wyrwińska

Medycyna Paliatywna 2014; 6(3): 134–139

Online publish date: 2014/11/05

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Cancer patients receiving anticancer treatment and with advanced disease in particular, experience many emergent events and are referred to emergency departments (ED). The literature review demonstrates that up to > 80% of patients visit ED at least once; and 60% visit ED in the last month of life. Lung cancer patients visit ED most commonly. The most common symptoms on admission are febrile neutropenia, pain and dyspnea. Many patients need simple interventions, which could be performed out of ED. In any therapeutic decision direct benefits and burden to the patient as well as his wishes has to be considered. After ED visits, patients are referred to palliative care or other in-patients, units. About 10% of patients die in ED. In summary, many patients with cancer in some clinical situations need a specialist urgent support in ED, which is an important element of medical care of these patients.

keywords:

Patients with cancer in the emergency departments

Aleksandra Kotlińska-Lemieszek , Agnieszka Wyrwińska

cancer, emergencies, emergency departments

Aleksandra Kotlińska-Lemieszek

,

Agnieszka Wyrwińska