Oncology emergencies - GP Partners Australia · 2019-03-26 · Abnormal LFTs On routine bloods Started on 1 mg/kg prednisolone Immunotherapy case 1: ... only possible with team approach!

Oncology emergencies: Dr Dainik Patel

Medical Oncologist

Lyell McEwin Hospital

Adelaide Cancer Centre ( Tennyson Centre, 480 specialist centre)

Agenda:

Background

cancer related emergencies

Chemotherapy related emergencies

Immunotherapy related emergencies

Background:

Cancer patients present to the ED with poorly managed symptoms or treatment related toxicities

• Most common : fever, infection, GI toxicity, pain ,respiratory illness

Some particular syndrome need to be promptly recognized to avoid long term consequences

• Multidisciplinary approach is necessary

GP’s role:

Early

• Recognize red flags

•

• Prevention

• Education

• Close monitoring

presentation

• Assessment and initial treatment

• Communication with team and ED

Post

• Follow up visits and investigations

Agenda:

Spinal cord compression

Superior ven-cava syndrome

Cancer related emergencies: spinal cord compression

5% of all cancer patients

• Common problem in prostate, lung, breast and RCC. Other includes hodgkin’s lymphoma, myeloma as well.

Thoracic: 60%, lumber: 25% and cervical 15%

• Always image whole spine MRI as third of the cases have multi-level metastasis

Survival is limited in patients with multiple spinal metastasis with cord compression

Cancer related emergencies: spinal cord compression

• Commonly,presenting symptoms is pain

• Muscle weakness (60-86%)

• 2/3 not ambulatory at time of diagnosis

• Sensory loss is less common

• Bladder and bowel dysfunction: late

• Functional capacity is the single most

predictor of outcome

spinal cord compression ; CT vs MRI

MRI Gold

standard

Cancer related emergencies: spinal cord compression (ESMO guidelines)

Recognize and expedite

Start early treatment

Cancer related emergencies: Superior Vencava Syndrome



Cancer related emergencies: Superior Vencava Syndrome (ESMO guideline)

Chemotherapy related emergencies

Febrile neutropenia

Diarrhea

Chemotherapy related emergencies : Febrile neutropenia

10%–50% of patients with solid tumours and >80% of those with hematological malignancies

• The degree and duration of neutropenia closely correlate with the risk of serious infectious complications.

Clinically documented infections occur in 20%–30% of febrile episodes.

GCSF has reduced significantly rate of FN

Chemotherapy related emergencies: Febrile neutropenia

Neutrophils in the activation and regulation of innate and adaptive immunity,Alberto Mantovani, Marco A. Cassatella, Claudio Costantini & Sébastien Jaillon,Nature Reviews Immunology

Volume,11,pages 519–531 (2011)

Responsible

for fungal

and viral

infection

after

prolong

duration

Chemotherapy related emergencies : Febrile neutropenia

Chemotherapy related emergencies : Diarrhea

• Common problem

• Chemo: many but not all

• TKI: any ( sunitinib, pazopanib)

• Preventable and treatable

• Could lead to ICU admission

Chemotherapy related emergencies : Diarrhoea

Mechanism of diarrohea

• Decrease surface area (secretory)

• Increase motility (like irinotecan)

• Decreased enzyme activity (osmotic)

• Bacterial overgrowth

• Increase mucous secretions

• Over-treated constipation

Chemotherapy related emergencies : Diarrhoea

Chemotherapy related emergencies : Diarrhoea management

James Allison, of the

University of Texas MD

Anderson Cancer Centre, and

Kyoto University's Tasuku

Honjo

Immunotherapy side effects: background

Immunotherapy related emergencies : Background

https://grandroundsinurology.com/immunotherapy-for-prostate-cancer/

Immunotherapy: current landscape

Immunotherapy related emergencies: striking differences from

chemotherapy

• Minimal infusion related reaction

• Patients stay on these treatment longer

• Side effects:

• Fewer than chemotherapy

• Not predictable

• Not dose dependent (no dose reduction)

• Can arise at any time (even after stopping)

• Any system of body get involved

• Could be life threatening

• Need a team to manage side effects

MA Postow et al. N Engl J Med 2018;378:158-168.

Possible Mechanisms Underlying Immune-Related Adverse Events.

Immunotherapy related

emergencies:

Spectrum of organ

involvement

Any system of body get

involved!

The Immune Checkpoint

Inhibitors Unleashed to Fight

Cancer

May 17, 2017 • By Dana

Direnzo, MD, Ami A. Shah,

MD, MHS, Clifton O.

Bingham III, MD, & Laura C.

Cappelli, MD, MHS

Management of toxicities from immunotherapy: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment

and follow-up†

Ann Oncol. 2017;28(suppl_4):iv119-iv142. doi:10.1093/annonc/mdx225

Society for Medical Oncology.)

Immunotherapy: timeline for side effects

Even after completion of treatment!

Annals of Oncology, Volume 27, Issue 4, 28 December 2015, Pages 559–574, https://doi.org/10.1093/annonc/mdv623

The content of this slide may be subject to copyright: please see the slide notes for details.

Typical management of side effects (ESMO guideline)

Steroid sparing agent in

refractory cases

Infliximab, mycophenolate,

azathioprine

Phone call from patient or carer

Need to have 24 hour hot line

Establish background and treatment regimen

Recognise red flags

Urgent vs semi-urgent

Arrange blood test (if patient has non-specific mild symptoms)

Initiate therapy (remotely located patient)

Urgent contact with physician

• Endocrinopathies

• Rest of the system

Immunotherapy: flow of management



58yr old

ECOG 1

Metastatic RCC

Hx of Psoriasis (local Rx)

On clinical trial with Nivolumab and cabozantinib

Tolerated well

During 2nd cycle

Abnormal LFTs

On routine bloods

Started on 1 mg/kg prednisolone

Immunotherapy case 1: Hepatitis ( only 3 doses of drug)

58yr old

ECOG 1

Metastatic RCC

Hx of Psoriasis (local Rx)

On clinical trial with Nivolumab and cabozantinib

Tolerated well

During 2nd cycle

Abnormal LFTs

On routine bloods



No new symptoms

On routine bloods


Did not have re-challenge due to severe psoriasis flare

CT shows excellent response


Immunotherapy case 2: Diabetes and hypothyrodism

70-Y F, ECOG 1, with metastatic lung cancer, >50% PD-L1

expression

3-weekly pembrolizumab (C1 1/5/18).

Presenting complaint:Polyuria, polydipsia and dry mouth

Examination: Unremarkable, stable vitals

Investigations: BGL 42, Ketones 6.8 mmol/L

HbA1c 8% TSH 97.6; fT4 <5

Diagnoses:

Diabetes (DKA) and hypothyrodism due to Pembrolizumab

Pembrolizumab was held

DKA protocol, started on levothyroxine 75 mcg

Diabetes education

Basal-bolus insulin regimen (insulin adjustment via phone clinic)

Keys in

history and

blood

Immunotherapy case 3: hypopitutarism

42 yr old lady

with resected high risk melanoma

On nivolumab for 4 months .

Presenting complaint: lethargy and hypotension in chemo suite

Examination: Unremarkable, hypotensive

Investigations: Cortisol <3

ACTH:3

Diagnoses:

hypopitutarism

nivolumab was held

On corticosteroid replacement

Resumed Nivolumab

Keys in

history and

blood

Immunotherapy case 4: Vasculitis and Pneumonitis

71 man, metastatic melanoma

On second line of treatment with

Combination of Ipilimumab and Nivolumab

Presented with cough, SOB and fever associated with

cold hands after 2 weeks of first infusion.

O/E: Crackles on both lower lobes



Commenced on Prednisolone 1.5mg/Kg with improvement in cough, SOB and fever after 2 days. Septic screen was negative

Hands got worse!


IV methylprednisolone for 3 days

Reviewed by vascular and rheumatology team

vasculitis screen and angiogram of UL was normal


steroids were weaned over 4 months. Not any complication except local infection.

4 months


▪ After a year without any treatment!

▪ FDG PET scan negative for any melanoma.

Annals of Oncology, Volume 27, Issue 4, 28 December 2015, Pages 559–574, https://doi.org/10.1093/annonc/mdv623

The content of this slide may be subject to copyright: please see the slide notes for details.

Figure 1. The five pillars of immunotherapy toxicity

management.

only possible with team approach!

Patient on immunotherapy

Emergency department

Medical oncologist

Nurse practioner

Allied health staff

General Practitioner

Take home message:

▪ More cancer patients will be on treatment and need team approach for

management

▪ Emergencies could be identified early and treat effectively

▪ Communication with other team members is crucial

▪ Steroids remained useful drug in many oncology emergencies

▪ Immune related side effects need to be considered with patient on

immunotherapy until proved otherwise.

Thank You!

Oncology emergencies - GP Partners Australia · 2019-03-26 · Abnormal LFTs On routine bloods Started on 1 mg/kg prednisolone Immunotherapy case 1: ... only possible with team approach!

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