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Title: Acute Kidney Injury and Tumor Lysis Syndrome

Category: Critical Care

Posted: 6/26/2012 by Mike Winters, MBA, MD (Updated: 7/22/2026)

Acute Kidney Injury and Tumor Lysis Syndrome

  • Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is characterized by hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, and hyperuricemia.
  • Acute kidney injury in TLS increases patient mortality and can be caused by an obstructive uropathy from calcium phosphate crystalluria or uric acid crystal precipitation.
  • Fluid resuscitation remains the primary treatment for TLS.
  • Urine alkalinization, however, is no longer recommended, as it can result in calcium phosphate crystal precipitation. 
  • Recombinant urate oxidase rapidly decreases uric acid levels and should be given to patients at high-risk for TLS and those with pre-existing kidney disease and high uric acid levels.

References

McCurdy MT, Shanholtz CB. Oncologic emergencies. Crit Care Med 2012; 40:2212-2222.


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