Oncologic Emergencies
| Brain metastases | |
| Red flag | Increased frequency of headaches |
| New or qualitatively different headache | |
| Localized headache brought on by a specific motion of the head | |
| Action | Check MRI to rule out brain metastases |
| Visceral pain emergencies | |
| Red flag | Anuria/oliguria |
| Action | Sonogram to rule out obstruction |
| Red flag | Continuous/colicky abdominal pain may indicate intestinal obstruction |
| Action | Digital rectal exam to rule out fecal impaction (caution if friable mucosa) |
| Dexamethasone for partial obstruction in advanced disease | |
| Spinal cord compression | |
| Red flag | Progressive central or radicular back pain, increased with movement, weight-bearing, |
| OR | |
| Bilateral lower extremity weakness or sensory deficit | |
| Action | Magnetic resonance imaging, radiation oncology and neurology consults |