Endocrinology and Metabolism

Cancer and its treatment can lead to endocrine and metabolic abnormalities. Some of these problems can be long term or delayed, and emergency care providers should be aware of these issues in cancer survivors, as well as for patients with active malignancies. Routine laboratory assessment of chemistry often reveals abnormalities in cancer patients visiting emergency departments. Emergency physicians need to be aware of potentially serious underlying causes of these abnormalities in order to make appropriate disposition of the cancer patient.