Oncological Emergencies Dr. Gary Harding md, frcpc

Note: Corticosteroids

• Controversial issue with regards to treatment benefit at presentation

Non-small cell lung cancer

• SVC obstruction is a strong predictor of poor prognosis

• Median survival around 5 months7

• Choice of therapy considers likelihood of response to each modality

Non-small cell lung cancer

• Goal usually directed to palliation rather than long term remission

• Palliative radiation and chemotherapy can be used

Intraluminal Stents

• Endovascular placement under fluoroscopy

• Patients who have recurrent disease in previously irradiated fields

• Tumors refractory chemotherapy

• Patient too ill to tolerate radiation or chemotherapy