Critical Care

ICU or intensive care unit is a highly specialised area of the hospital specially meant for patients who require closer observation, constant monitoring or a more invasive treatment. ICU may look and sound scary, but it actually isn’t and just has machines such as ventilators to keep patients healthy and alive.  Here, critically ill patients are treated by specialised teams for the best possible outcome for patients admitted.

Cancer is the leading cause of death among our population. Many serious cancer patients or those who are critically ill require special observation and monitoring of symptoms to prolong their survival. Cancer patients account for 20% of patients admitted to the ICU.

Over the past few decades, our understanding of cancer has deepened and it has now become possible to save more and more lives with advanced diagnostic and treatment approaches. Major advancements have been seen in terms of using targeted therapies, immunology and chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy. In addition, innovations in surgical approaches and radiation equipment have also improved the chances of survival of cancer patients. 

The novel developments have not only improved patient outcomes but also the quality of life of cancer survivors. Despite all this, cancer patients still remain vulnerable and are at a high risk of developing complications. These complications could be from side effects of cancer treatment or cancer itself. Alternatively, there could be complications from any underlying related or unrelated medical conditions that the patient may have. Hence, these patients are more likely to be admitted to the hospital in intensive care units or ICU since they require additional monitoring and care.

With the complex needs of cancer patients whose condition becomes severely ill, a team effort of oncology specialists, several other disciplines and intensivist/ critical care specialist is necessary to ensure that these patients get the care and treatment they need. Moreover, this will also ensure that patients receive the best possible outcomes and correct use of the available resources.

Some reasons why cancer patients may need Critical Care

Cancer patients most often present to the critical care units for managing complications before, during or after their cancer therapy. Patients who choose not to undergo treatment may also face adverse symptoms and require intensive care. Some complications that cancer survivors commonly face include:

  • Infection and sepsis are common complications since the immune system of cancer patients is weak. Moreover, their body is vulnerable to bacterial or viral attacks.
  • Intratumoral haemorrhage, which means leaking of blood within the tumour may cause a stroke. 
  • Complications may also arise from extra cranial tumour sites, which means those areas that do not fall within the brain. For example, respiratory failure or compromise due to fluid accumulation. Pleural effusion often results from lung  tumours and their squeal.

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Dr. Pankaj Kumar Mishra

Senior Consultant

Critical Care

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Dr. Pankaj Kumar Mishra

Senior Consultant

Emergency