Tumour lysis syndrome in haematological malignancies.

The tumour lysis syndrome, a combination of metabolic derangements, is a complication of intensive cytotoxic chemotherapy, especially in rapidly proliferating lymphoid malignancies. During the last three years we have encountered four cases with different forms of haematological neoplasms, all of whom developed tumour lysis, i.e. some degree of hyperuricaemia, hyperkalaemia, hyperphosphataemia or hypocalcaemia, resulting in renal, circulatory and/or respiratory failure. Relevant literature is reviewed.