What causes tumour lysis syndrome?

When tumour cells break apart, they release potassium, phosphate, and genetic material into the blood. This can disturb salts and minerals, increase uric acid, and strain kidney function. The syndrome is more likely when a cancer has many rapidly dividing cells or responds quickly to treatment, but it can occasionally begin before treatment. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, weakness, muscle cramps, reduced urine, confusion, or an irregular heartbeat.

Your oncology team may check blood chemistry and kidney function before and after treatment, give fluids, and prescribe medicine to reduce uric acid or support its removal. Follow fluid and medicine instructions carefully, and do not take supplements or anti-inflammatory medicines without checking first. If you are considered at risk, monitoring may begin around the start of treatment and continue while the danger period passes.

Contact your cancer team immediately for very little urine, repeated vomiting, severe weakness, muscle twitching, new confusion, fainting, chest discomfort, or a racing or irregular heartbeat. These can signal changes in blood chemistry or kidney function and require urgent assessment. Do not wait for a routine appointment if symptoms appear soon after cancer treatment.

Am I at risk based on my cancer and planned treatment? Which blood tests will be checked? How much should I drink? Which medicines should I take or avoid? Who should I call outside clinic hours?