Spontaneous Tumor Lysis Syndrome: A Rare Presentation in Breast Cancer

Abstract

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is considered an oncologic emergency which requires early diagnosis and treatment to prevent mortality and morbidity. It refers to the constellation of metabolic disturbances manifested by acute renal failure associated with hyperuricemia, hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. Diagnosis is made based on Cairo-Bishop clinical and laboratory criteria. Spontaneous TLS, occurring prior to the initiation of cancer therapy, has been reported in hematologic malignancies like high grade non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and acute leukemia, and rarely in solid tumors including colon cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and in at least two cases of breast cancer. We present a case of spontaneous TLS in breast cancer patient which is rare but interesting disease manifestation. J Med Cases. 2019;10(1):24-26 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jmc3237