Oncologic emergencies: Gastroenterology

Technologic advances in gastroenterology (GI) have changed the nature of GI’s involvement in cancer care from staging to surveillance to management of tumor or treatment-related emergencies. GI-related oncologic emergencies represent a small proportion of all oncologic emergencies. This chapter discusses the most important including GI bleeding, luminal and biliary obstruction, acute pancreatitis, hepatic decompensation, and dislodgement of enteral devices. These disorders require early recognition so that management can be directed efficiently. A multidisciplinary approach to such patients and conditions including consultation with oncology, radiation oncology, surgery, primary care, and gastroenterology to assist in management, which may include a therapeutic GI procedure, is likely to lead to optimal patient outcomes.