Medicine
Tumor Lysis Syndrome Prophylaxis and Treatment in Hematologic Malignancies
Quick fact
In high-risk hematologic malignancies like Burkitt lymphoma or acute lymphoblastic leukemia, up to 20% of patients develop tumor lysis syndrome, and without prophylaxis, it can be fatal within hours of starting chemotherapy.
Why this is interesting
Chemotherapy is meant to kill cancer cells, but when it works too quickly, it can flood the body with toxic debris. Why would a life-saving treatment suddenly cause kidney failure and cardiac arrest?