Mishal Shanabout 1 year ago

Tumour Lysis Syndrome

When chemotherapeutic agents target tumour cells, collateral damage also occurs as the dying cells release various substances that can be toxic for the body. Intracellular potassium is liberated which leads to hyperkalemia and increases the risk of arrhythmias. Nucleotides of proliferating cells are increasingly converted to uric acid which raises the body's uric acid to dangerously high levels. This can precipitate gout and also lead to urate nephropathy. The risk of this condition is prevented by adequate hydration and use of inhibitore of uric acid synthesis such as allopurinol or febuxostat. Alternatively, uricase enzyme can also be used to convert uric acid to a non toxic metabolite, allantoin.