S povećanjem incidencije karcinoma u općoj populaciji i produljivanjem preživljenja onkoloških bolesnika sve se češće javljaju i hitna stanja (HS) u onkologiji. Hitna stanja u onkoloških bolesnika mogu se javiti u svim stadijima bolesti (i kao prva manifestacija zloćudne bolesti), mogu biti vezana uz antitumorsko liječenje ili potpuno nevezana uz osnovnu bolest. Promptne intervencije mogu spasiti bolesnika te smanjiti morbiditet i mortalitet. Hitna stanja u onkologiji najčešće se dijele u metaboličke (npr. sindrom lize tumora), hematološke (npr. diseminirana intravaskularna koagulacija), upalne (npr. neutropenijska vrućica) i mehaničke hitnoće (npr. edem mozga) te hitnoće u palijativnoj skrbi (egzacerbacija simptoma osnovne bolesti, npr. bol). Promptne intervencije mogu spasiti bolesnika te smanjiti morbiditet i mortalitet. Primjena palijativne skrbi poboljšava kvalitetu života i smanjuje simptome, pa je ključna i u smislu pripreme za prirodni završetak bolesti, odlaženje i žalovanje.
With the increasing incidence of cancer in the general population and improved survival, emergencies in oncology and hematology are more frequently encountered. Oncologic emergencies represent a wide variety of conditions that can occur at any time during the course of a malignancy, from an initial presenting manifestations in patients with an undiagnosed cancer, to end-stage incurable metastatic disease. Oncologic emergencies include conditions caused by the cancer itself or side effects of antitumor therapy but they can also be independent from malignant disease. Oncologic emergencies can be metabolic (tumor lysis syndrome), hematologic (intravascular coagulation), inflammatory (neutropenic fever) and mechanic (brain edema) as emergencies in palliative care (pain). Prompt interventions can be lifesaving and may spare patients considerable morbidity and mortality. Implementation of palliative care is increasing patients Quality of Life and decreasing intensity of symptoms and it’s crucial in preparation for the natural completion diseases, departures and mourning.