The destruction of the focus of oncology means the death of tumor cells that collapse and secrete toxins. Tumor decay in itself is a common occurrence observed in many patients suffering from cancer. This process further worsens the patient’s condition, poisoning the body with dangerous metabolic products, ultimately leading to death.
Background
The whole complexity of the situation when a tumor breaks down, first of all, is that such a process is often caused by treatment that is aimed specifically at destroying the tumor cells. That is why this process is a natural consequence of treatment against cancer. It can occur spontaneously due to therapeutic effects.
Spontaneous destruction, as a rule, is characteristic of neoplasms, which are impressive in size, since with large dimensions some cells die. Malignant tumors located in the intestine or gastric mucosa can be damaged mechanically. Enzymes and hydrochloric acid can damage them.
Rapid Decay Syndrome
The death of tumor cells causes the formation of a rapid tumor decay syndrome, which is accompanied by serious intoxication. Because of this, uric acid salts are released, and it itself. In addition, phosphates and potassium are released. All these components penetrate into the bloodstream, through which they enter various areas of the body, where they damage organs and create an alkaline imbalance. Acidity is formed in the mass of blood, which has a detrimental effect on renal function.
Chemotherapy as a source of destruction
When too much uric acid circulates in the blood mass, sooner or later it will lead to blockage of the gaps of the tubules of the kidneys. The consequence of this process is usually the development of renal failure.
Such a complication mainly affects patients who, even before the appearance of the tumor, had disturbances in the organ's activity. Due to the release of phosphate from dead cancer cells, the concentration of calcium in the blood serum decreases. Such a phenomenon causes seizures and increases drowsiness. Among other things, excess potassium is constantly coming from the cancer site, which leads to the occurrence of arrhythmia, and it, in turn, can lead to death.
In addition to the metabolites described, tumor cells can produce enzymes and other aggressive products. That is why tumor decay is often complicated by an infectious lesion, inflammation, damage to the overall vessel, which is why heavy bleeding begins. Such complications make treatment difficult. In addition, there is a deterioration in the condition of the patient as a whole. If there is no timely medical care, the listed violations threaten severe blood loss.
Symptoms
The following symptoms of tumor decay are observed:
- fever appears;
- vomiting and nausea;
- pain discomfort, which is localized in the abdomen;
- rapid loss of initial body weight, which can cause oncological cachexia;
- discoloration of the skin (they turn pale, a jaundice may appear);
- deviations of the liver.
It must be remembered that various diseases may have their own symptoms, which will depend on the type of cancer and the location of the cancer.
Cancer types and symptoms
For various types of cancer, in addition to the general signs described above, other symptoms are also characteristic that are observed with a certain localization of the tumor.
For example, with the decay of a breast tumor, there are often reasons for classifying the pathology as the fourth stage. With massive cell necrosis, involvement in the skin process and its infection, large and long non-healing ulcers are formed that do not allow the oncologist in most cases to start treating the tumor as quickly as possible, since the latter can further aggravate the decay. Along with detoxification and antibacterial therapy, the tumor continues to progress and grow in the patient, often leaving no room for surgical treatment.
The question of the treatment of decaying breast tumors is very acute, especially given the large number of late visits by patients and advanced forms of the disease. By the way, many are interested in what is the prognosis for tumor decay. About it below.
Gastric tumors can disintegrate at large sizes, in which case the possibility of perforation of the wall of this organ and further release of its contents into the peritoneal cavity, peritonitis, increases. This pathology is accompanied by infection of the peritoneum with digestive products, significant inflammation and can lead to death if the patient is not provided with emergency care. Another manifestation of tumor decay in the stomach can be severe bleeding, manifested by vomiting with blood like "coffee grounds", tachycardia, weakness, lowering blood pressure, etc.
The collapse of intestinal malignant tumors threatens with vascular damage to the intestinal wall and bleeding, not only can a strong infection, suppuration, and inflammation appear in the rectum, but fistulous passages form in other organs of the small pelvis (uterus in patients, bladder).
The collapse of a lung tumor is dangerous due to penetration into the pleural cavity of the air (pneumothorax), severe bleeding, the usual symptoms of shortness of breath appear, coughing and pain are complicated by the discharge of a huge amount of putrefactive sputum.
Uterine tumors can disintegrate with large neoplasms. If cancer cells are destroyed, then there is an infiltration and severe inflammation of the surrounding tissues, fistulas appear in the rectum and bladder, through which the neoplastic process will spread to these organs.
Cancerous decay with such localization is characterized by fever, severe intoxication, and the spread of the inflammatory process in the pelvis.
Symptoms of the onset of tumor decay in oncology are always an alarming signal that can not be ignored, and therefore any deterioration in the well-being of a person should be a reason for getting rid of such a dangerous condition. It is very important to monitor the condition of patients undergoing antitumor therapy.
Diagnostics
A diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical signs, the results of instrumental studies and laboratory tests. The first alarming symptom most often is a decrease in the amount of urine released.
To diagnose tumor decay (it is difficult to see in the photo), you need to determine the level of uric acid, creatinine, calcium and phosphate in the blood serum. The state of the liver is estimated based on the results of liver tests. If necessary, the patient is prescribed an ultrasound of the kidneys, CT and ECG.
Treatment
Therapy of tumor decay syndrome should be carried out only under the supervision of a physician in an inpatient setting. It includes:
- Antiemetics, laxatives, sorbents. In case of their inefficiency, enemas are put, not only excreting feces, but also reducing intoxication with metabolic products.
- Infusion treatment to correct the balance of acids and alkalis - the introduction of calcium, aluminum hydroxide, glucose and insulin, aluminum, if phosphates in blood serum, sodium bicarbonate increase.
- Acidosis during tumor decay is perhaps the only justified case of the use of soda in cancer, however, such treatment can only be carried out by a doctor and under strict supervision of the acid-base state of the blood.
- When symptoms of acute renal failure occur, hemodialysis is performed.
- Antiarrhythmic treatment for heart rhythm disturbance.
- With anemia, iron preparations are prescribed.
- Anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, which, in addition to the relief of pain syndrome, reduce fever.
- Adequate drinking regimen and a complete diet.
- Before chemotherapy for preventive purposes, complications require a plentiful drink, rehydration treatment for a day or two.
And now we find out, with the decay of the tumor, how long does the patient have to live?
Forecast
If treatment begins in a timely manner, the prognosis for tumor decay syndrome is most often favorable. When metabolic disorders are corrected, a restoration of kidney activity is noted. If therapy is absent or starts late, then there can be a fatal outcome due to acute kidney failure, complications caused by tumor decay (internal bleeding, serious infectious complications, peritonitis due to perforation of the walls of a hollow organ) or cardiac arrest.
How much to live with tumor decay in case of grade 4 cancer? Unfortunately, at best, it will be possible to live several months with the right therapy.
Prevention
To prevent the onset of the collapse of the tumor syndrome, you need to drink plenty of drinks 1-2 days before the start of chemotherapy, regular monitoring of the level of uric acid, creatinine, calcium and phosphate in the blood serum. In the first week of therapy, tests are done daily. If laboratory or clinical symptoms of neoplasm breakdown syndrome appear, laboratory tests are done several times a day.