Abstract:

Aim: Prolongation in the life span of cancer patients has resulted in increased number of cancer patients all over the world. However, this change is increasing the number of oncological patients admitted to the emergency departments every day. This study aimed to determine the reasons for admission to the emergency department (ED) for cancer patients and to examine the factors affecting the prognosis demographically. Materials and Methods: Patients aged 18 years or older with clinical/pathological oncologic diagnoses, who applied to Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Hospital Emergency Department between March 1st 2018 and August 31st 2018, were included in the study. The study was prospective and ethics committee approval was obtained prior to the study. Results: Totally 265 patients with pathology reports for confirmed oncology diagnosis were included in the study. The most common reason was “pain” with a rate of 13.6% (n=36). Gastrointestinal system symptoms and respiratory system symptoms were the most common reasons for hospitalization in clinics and intensive care units and patients who had these symptoms died with the rates of 6.8% (n=18) and 33.3% (n=30), respectively, in clinics. Conclusion: The most common reasons for ED visits by cancer patients are pain, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and shortness of breath. Oncology patients admitted to the ED have higher needs for laboratory tests, radiological imaging and consultation, and time to be followed in the emergency services.

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