[Systematic action-Emergencies in systemic cancer therapy!]

Abstract

Background: A multitude of treatment options for the systemic treatment of urologic cancer have become available in recent years. In addition to classical chemotherapy or androgen-deprivation therapy, other approaches like targeted therapies (e.g., tyrosine kinase inhibitors), checkpoint inhibitors, and new approaches like radioligand therapies are increasingly used. Whether treating their own patients or caring for patients who receive these compounds from other physicians in the field, urologists will inevitably be confronted with adverse events associated with these diverse therapies. This development will continue to grow as new compounds are continuously being registered and even new drug classes are being developed. Therefore, every urologist should know the basics regarding prophylaxis, control of adverse events, and especially management of emergency situations associated with systemic treatment in uro-oncology.

Objectives: To provide an overview of typical emergency situations and their management in genitourinary cancers.

Methods: Summary of common uro-oncological emergency situations associated with systemic therapy.

Results: The urologist requires expert knowledge in the management of emergencies within systemic treatment of genitourinary cancers like neutropenic fever during chemotherapy, hand-foot syndrome with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, immune-related adverse events, but also of side effects occurring in patients treated by other physicians, e.g., during radioligand therapies administered by nuclear physicians.

Conclusions: Basic knowledge on the typical side effects and emergencies that are associated with compounds used in the treatment of genitourinary cancers is essential. Continuous medical education to be able to handle the new developments in this rapidly evolving field is mandatory.