Acute tumor lysis syndrome associated with concurrent biochemotherapy of metastatic melanoma: a case report and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Treatment of solid tumors rarely has been associated with tumor lysis syndrome. However, to the authors' knowledge the clinical scenario has not been reported previously in melanoma patients.


METHODS
A patient with bulky metastatic melanoma was treated with concurrent biochemotherapy using interleukin-2, interferon-alpha, and a combination of cisplatin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine.


RESULTS
Within 24 hours of the initiation of treatment, brisk tumor lysis occurred and led to a fatal outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Improvements in the treatment of solid tumors may increase the incidence of tumor lysis syndrome for tumors once believed to be marginally responsive. Oncologists should remain cognizant of this problem as more active regimens become available.
Castro
M P
MP
Glens Falls Cancer Center, New York 12801, USA.
VanAuken
J
J
Spencer-Cisek
P
P
Legha
S
S
Sponzo
R W
RW
D000208:Acute Disease; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000009:adverse effects; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D003606:Dacarbazine / Q000009:adverse effects; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000009:adverse effects; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000097:blood; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015275:Tumor Lysis Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000009:adverse effects
D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007376:Interleukin-2; D014527:Uric Acid; D010758:Phosphorus; D014747:Vinblastine; D003606:Dacarbazine; D003404:Creatinine; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D002945:Cisplatin; D002118:Calcium