Oncologic Emergencies

This online CME course focuses on pediatric oncologic and hematologic emergencies, providing healthcare professionals with essential knowledge and clinical strategies to identify and manage urgent complications in children with cancer. Oncologic and hematologic emergencies in pediatric populations can be rapidly progressive and life-threatening if not promptly recognized and treated. This course is designed to help clinicians in emergency medicine, oncology, and pediatric care settings recognize the early signs and symptoms associated with these emergencies.

Participants will gain in-depth knowledge about the differentiation between benign and acute causes, as well as how to intervene with evidence-based treatment and referral strategies effectively. With an emphasis on practical case-based approaches, this course enhances decision-making and critical care competencies to optimize outcomes for pediatric patients facing these high-stakes situations.

Educational Objectives

• Describe typical presentations of hematologic and oncologic emergencies in children.
• Review how to differentiate between acute etiologies and benign etiologies.
• Discuss treatment and referral options for pediatric oncologic emergencies.
• Identify current clinical strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of oncologic emergencies in children.

Who Should Do This Course

This course is ideal for:

• Physicians, Nurse Practitioners (NPs), Physician Assistants (PAs), and Registered Nurses (RNs) who manage pediatric populations.
• Healthcare professionals in the fields of Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Oncology, Hematology, and Critical Care Medicine.
• Providers working in pediatric hospitals, emergency departments, oncology clinics, and pediatric intensive care units.

Did You Know?

• Pediatric cancer is the second leading cause of death in children aged 1 to 14 years in the United States (American Cancer Society, 2023).
• Febrile neutropenia occurs in over 50% of children undergoing chemotherapy and requires urgent evaluation (NIH, 2021).
• Early intervention in tumor lysis syndrome can reduce mortality rates significantly, with hydration and medication such as rasburicase (NCCN Guidelines, 2022).
• Spinal cord compression in pediatric cancer can lead to permanent neurologic damage within hours if not treated promptly (St. Jude Research, 2020).