Nephrology

Renal emergencies are common during the care of patients with cancer and require a multidisciplinary approach between the emergency physician, nephrologist, oncologist, and interventional radiologist. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication of cancer treatment that is associated with a higher mortality rate and length of stay in the hospital. General causes of AKI such as acute tubular necrosis and hypovolemia are still common in patients with cancer. However, there are other etiologies of AKI that are relevant such as AKI in the setting of multiple myeloma, stem cell transplant, tumor lysis syndrome, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Patients with cancer may also present with severe electrolyte derangements that require immediate treatment by the emergency physician.