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. 2025 Mar 5;25:40. doi: 10.1186/s12873-025-01183-2

Table 2.

Detailed description of studies included (n = 49)

Author, year Country Methods Population Sample Size Age, years (Mean, SD, or Median) % Male Cancer Studied Oncologic Emergency Studied Intervention Used in the ED/Hospital
Abelson et al., 2017 [29] United States Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Patients admitted to the ED with MLBO who were treated with palliative stent (n = 172) or stoma (n = 173) 345 69.9 (14.4) (stoma group), 70.9 (16.8) (stent group) 87 (50.3%, stoma); 90 (52.3% stent) Colorectal palliation of malignant large-bowel obstruction (MLBO) Palliative stenting or stoma creation
Alsirafy et al., 2016 [30] Other: Egypt Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Patients with terminal cancer who died at KAMC-HC during the 13-month period 154 Median (range): 60 (16–91) 69 (44.8%) All Pain, dyspnea, vomiting n/a
Azoulay et al., 2021 [31] Other: France, Spain, USA, UK, Russia, Canada, Germany, Austria Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Patients who received CAR T-cell therapy in the past 30 days had been admitted to the ICU for any reason 241 Median (range): 58 (43–66) 144 (60%) All hematological malignancies Isolated cytokine release syndrome, sepsis (due to pneumonia, enterocolitis, and skin and soft tissue infections), frailty Life-saving treatments (vasoactive drugs), non-invasive ventilation or high-flow nasal oxygen, steroid therapy,
Banala et al., 2020 [32] United States Randomized Clinical Trial Adult patients with cancer presenting with severe pain to the ED 84 Median (range): IV Hydromorphone group: 51 (29–78); Intranasal Fentanyl group)55 (22–84) 36 (43.9%) All Severe pain Intranasal fentanyl (INF) vs intravenous hydromorphone (IVH)
Bosscher et al., 2016 [33] Other: The Netherlands Prospective Observational Cohort Study Adult cancer patients (age [18 years) in the University Medical Center Groningen who required surgical consultation for oncologic emergencies 207 Not reported 101 (48.8%) All Obstruction, infection, clinical deterioration, gastrointestinal perforation, bleeding/thrombosis, pathological fractures Referral to surgery within 30 days after emergency evaluation or non-surgical treatment
Bou Chebl et al., 2021 [34] Other: Lebanon Retrospective Observational Cohort Study All patients > 18 years of age admitted with sepsis 442 67.92 (13.32, solid tumor); 55.37 (20.85, hematological malignancy) 190 (62.3% solid); 97 (70.8% hematological) All Sepsis IV fluids, Vasopressor use, steroid use, intubation
Bow et al., 2006 [35] Other: USA, Canada, Australia Randomized Clinical Trial Patients at high risk for medical complications who were > = 18 years old, severely neutropenic, hospitalized for the management of a febrile episode complicating the course of cytotoxic therapy for a hematological malignancy or for a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), and who had provided written, informed consent according to institutional protocol 264 50.2 (15.1, Piperacillin-tazobactam recipients); 50.1 (14.5, Cefepime recipients) 166/265 (62.6% Piperacillin-tazobactam recipients); 146/263 (54.4% Cefepime recipients) All Hematological malignancies Febrile neutropenic episodes n/a
Castillo et al., 2021 [36] United States Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Patients receiving ICI therapy within 6 weeks before ED presentation who had a contemporary evaluation in the Mayo Clinic Hospital ED between May 1, 2017, and April 30, 2018 67 Median (range): 65 (24–88) 36 (53.7%) All Immune-related adverse events (abdominal pain, colitis, diarrhea, hyperglycemia, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pressure/tightness, nausea and vomiting) Corticosteroids (dexamethasone 10 mg, prednisone 60 mg)
Cauley et al., 2015 [37] United States Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Patients included in this study were at least 18 years old, had a preoperative diagnosis of disseminated cancer and Patients who underwent an emergency operation for intestinal obstruction or perforation by the primary DRG International Classification of DiseasesV9th Rev. (ICD-9) code 875 Not reported 52% (in intestinal perforation group); 51% (in Obstruction group) All Intestinal Obstruction or Perforation Emergency Operation
Chou et al., 2012 [38] Other: Taiwan Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Consecutive patients with stage III to stage IV lung cancer, who were admitted to ICU for sepsis-related respiratory failure 70 71.7 (12.3, survived to hospital discharge); 76.4 (11.6, died) 23 (79.3% survived to hospital discharge); 37 (90.2% died) Lung, stage III and IV Sepsis-related respiratory failure Intubated via mechanical ventilator support. If patients failed to be weaned from the ventilator, they were transferred to a respiratory care facility for long-term ventilator support
Cooksley et al., 2020 [39] UK Prospective Observational Cohort Study All emergency presentations in patients treated with ICIs within 6 months before admission were seen at a specialist oncology hospital in England from 20th May 2018 to 19th May 2019 300 Median (range): 67 (28–88) 185 (61.7%) All Dyspnea, diarrhea, and fever related to ICI toxicity Steroids, antibiotics
Coyne et al., 2021 [40] United States Prospective Observational Cohort Study Adults 18 years or older with active cancer presenting to the ED 1075 Median (range): 64 (19–90) 518 (48.2%) All Pain Opioids, acetaminophen
Delgado-Guay et al., 2015 [41] United States Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Patients with advanced cancer aged 18 years or older who visited the ED after their first visit to an outpatient palliative care clinic 200 56.5 (13.6) 104 (52%) All pain, GI symptoms, altered mental status, other neurologic symptoms, infection, dyspnea, fever/chill, bleeding, edema/swelling, constipation, general weakness, fell down received palliative care consultation in the ED or admitted to the hospital
DeSilva, Jackson, and Steer, 2018 [42] Australia Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Patients ≥ 18 years of age who were admitted under the oncology unit at Albury Wodonga Health during a 12-month period and who had a microbiological test performed for suspected infection during their admission 208 Median (range): 67 (19–89, with febrile neutropenia); 68 (19–89, without febrile neutropenia) 28 (56% with febrile neutropenia); 99 (62.7%, without febrile neutropenia) All Infection, neutropenic fever episodes Antibiotic therapy
Frago et al., 2010 [43] Other: Spain Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Patients with stage IV obstructing CRC presenting to the ED 55 65.5 (50–77, surgery group); 65.9 (19–84, stent group) 9/12 (75% surgery group); 32/43 (74.41%, stent group) Colorectal, stage IV Bowel obstruction Colonic stenting or palliative chemotherapy (consisting of a combi-nation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), leucovorin (LV), and irino-tecan (FOLFIRI) or oxaliplatin (FOLFOX))
Giustozzi et al., 2021 [44] Other: Italy, USA, Belgium, France, Germany, Israel, Netherlands, UK, Poland, and Spain Randomized Clinical Trial Patients with cancer with symptomatic or incidental acute proximal deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive oral apixaban or subcutaneous dalteparin 1155 67.3 (11.0, incidental VTE); 68 (11.2, Symptomatic VTE) 115 (50%, incidental VTE); 453 (49%, symptomatic VTE) All Incidental or symptomatic acute proximal deep venous thromboembolism (VTE) Lab testing, diagnostic imaging
Grewal et al., 2020 [45] Canada Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Patients aged 18 years and older with a cancer diagnosis and who received chemotherapy in the 30 days before being seen in an emergency department between 2013 and 2017 87,555 66 (56–74) 39,383(45%) All Infection, fever, gastrointestinal diagnoses Specialty consultation, hospital admission
Gudiol et al., 2016 [46] Other: Spain Prospective Observational Cohort Study Advanced solid neoplasm was considered in patients with confirmed metastatic disease (stage IV) and some tumors in stage III (lung, pancreas, gastric, esopha-geal and urothelial) not suitable for curative treatment 795 64 (29–89) 35 (63.6%) All Bacteremic pneumonia in neutropenic cancer patients, fever, cough, septic shock, ICU admission, invasive mechanical ventilation, antibiotic therapy, targeted antibiotic therapy
Hsu et al., 2021 [47] Other: Taiwan Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Adults with cancer who received palliative care during the final 6 months of their life 762 70.4 (13.0) 44 (49.4%) All Anemia, altered mental status, catheter-related events, dyspnea, falls, fever, N/V or other GI symptoms, pain, and tumor bleeding/complications n/a
Kao et al., 2018 [48] Other: Taiwan Case–Control Study Advanced cancer patients receiving palliative home care services 65 72.6 (12.1) 35 (54.8) All Pain, infection or fever, nausea or vomiting, constipation, dyspnea, change of consciousness, and gastrointestinal bleeding Morphine
Kerhuel et al., 2015 [49] Other: France Retrospective Observational Cohort Study All patients admitted to the ICU within the 3 months following HDT/ASCT during the study period 27 54 (38–60) 14 (52%) Lymphoma Infection, shock, acute respiratory failure, neurologic disorder, bleeding Vasopressors, invasive mechanical ventilation, non-invasive mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy
Kim et al., 2014 [50] Other: Korea Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Patients with pathologically confirmed lung cancer who were admitted to the medical ICU at Seoul National Uni-versity Bundang Hospital between 2003 and 2011 95 65.6 (10.3) 78 (82%) Lung, stage IIIB and IV Obstructive pneumonia, respiratory failure due to lung involvement of cancer, cardiac tamponade, tumor bleeding, neurologic events, metabolic events, radiation pneumonitis, chemo-induced lung toxicity, infection with neutropenia, infection without neutropenia, other complications due to treatment, neutropenic septic shock, comorbidity related events Vasoactive agents, hemodialysis, CPR, mechanical ventilation
Klamroth et al., 2022 [51] Other: Germany Prospective Observational Cohort Study Patients diagnosed with cancer-associated venous thrombosis with newly diagnosed symptomatic or asymptomatic VTE, pulmonary embolism (PE), or deep vein thromboses (DVT) and age ≥ 18 years 382 Median is 67 years for patients with CAT 189 (49.5%, patients with CAT) All Cancer-associated venous thrombosis (CAT) Anticoagulant therapy with low-molecular weight heparin, direct oral anticoagulants, Vit K antagonists, unfractionated heparin
Lagman et al., 2007 [52] United States Prospective Observational Cohort Study Patients who were admitted to The Harry R. Horvitz Acute Inpatient Palliative Medicine Unit with an episode needing acute inpatient treatment for symptom control or management of complications 96 62 (31–92) 48 (50%) All Acute inpatient treatment of symptom control and cancer-related complications (i.e., neutropenic fever, radiation-induced pneumonitis, intractable emesis), terminal care, antineoplastic therapy-induced complications, comorbid condition related symptoms Invasive diagnostic (i.e., endoscopy) and therapeutic procedures, medications (i.e., opioids, laxatives, acid suppressants, corticosteroids, antiemetics), hydration, transfusions, radiation or chemo or a combination, discharged home with hospice care, lab tests, radiologic investigations
Mercadante et al., 2010 [53] Other: Italy Prospective Observational Cohort Study Patients consecutively admitted to a Pain Relief and Palliative Care unit in a period of 6 months from January 2008 to June 2008, who were receiving opioids in doses of oral morphine equivalents equal to or more than 60 mg daily or who were prescribed opioids for breakthrough pain (BTP) of different nature 66 66.7 (12.2) 42 (63.6%) All Pain Opioids intravenous, oral, transdermal
Mercadante et al., 2017 [54] Other: Italy Prospective Observational Cohort Study Advanced cancer patients who were admitted to an APSCU 235 66.7 (11.9, first admission); 62.7 (11.9, readmission) 134 (57%, first admission); 48 (60.8% readmissions) All Uncontrolled pain, opioid-induced toxicity, chemotherapy-induced toxicity, symptom control, and end-of-life care Opioid therapy
Miranda et al., 2016 [55] Other: Brazil Cross-Sectional Study Patients with cancer treated at oncological service and attended an ED for oncologic monitored from September 2011 to December. 2011, with length of stay > 2 h, aged 18 years or older 191 Not reported 68 (35.6) All Infection, pain, GI symptoms, respiratory symptoms, n/a
Moghnieh et al., 2015 [56] Other: Lebanon Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Adult cancer patients with fever and neutropenia, including those undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT), with positive blood cultures were selected 70 Not reported 36 (48%) All Febrile neutropenia n/a
Numico et al., 2015 [57] Other: Italy Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Patients admitted to the General Valle d’Aosta Hospital inpatient oncology ward between August 1, 2011 and December 31 2012 454 69.2 (26–92) 258 (56.9%) All Breathlessness, pain, fever, intestinal obstruction, other digestive symptoms (nausea and vomiting, jaundice, diarrhea, dysphagia, etc.), neurological symptoms (mainly related to brain metastases or meningeal carcinomatosis), general symptoms (such as fatigue and cachexia) and cardiovascular symptoms (such as those related to deep vein thrombosis, pericardial effusion, heart failure) Imaging, antitumor interventions, antibiotics, opiates, diagnostic or therapeutic invasive procedures (thoracentesis for pleural effusion or biliary drainage for obstruction), chemotherapy or radiotherapy, transferred to hospice, or in-hospital death
Patel et al., 2017 [58] United States Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Opioid-tolerant cancer patients > 18 years old who presented to two urban tertiary-care EDs between January 1, 2012 and November 30, 2014 and received opioids for the management of acute pain 216 Mean (range): 58 (29–89) 92 (42.40%) All Pain Opioids
Peyrony et al., 2021 [59] Other: France Cross Sectional Study Patients of 18 years or older with solid or hematologic malignancy 1081 72 (62–82) 611 (56.52%) All Dyspnea, neurological disorder, and fatigue Ultrasound, blood tests, ECG, venous access, oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, existing tracheostomy use, fluid challenge, catecholamines, analgesia, morphine, CPR, sedation, antibiotics,
Poutsiaka et al., 2007 [60] United States Prospective Observational Cohort Study All patients receiving daptomycin resided on the Bone Marrow Transplant Units of the two participating institutions (Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston Massachusetts and the University of Iowa Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa) from 2000 to 2002 9 Mean (range): 52.9 (25–70) 7/9 (77.8%) All hematological malignancies Treating VRE BSI in febrile neutropenic patients Daptomycin
Raghavendra et al., 2014 [61] United States Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Patients with neutropenic fever with fever > 38.8 degrees Celsius 215 Median is 69 years Not reported All Neutropenic fever Antibiotics and infectious disease consult service use
Rolston et al., 2010 [62] United States Prospective Observational Cohort Study Patients with neutropenic fever 21 44 (24–84) 4 (19%) All solid tumors Neutropenic fever Physical exam, lab tests, oral moxifloxacin
Ruiz-Artacho et al., 2018 [63] Other: USA, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, China, Colombia, Czechia, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Morocco, North Macedonia, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, UK, Vietnam, Prospective Observational Cohort Study Patients with biopsy-proven active cancer in the lung presenting with acute symptomatic, objectively confirmed VTE 1725 65 (12.0, both pulmonary embolism and deep VT groups) 873 (72%, Pulmonary embolism); 377 (73%, Deep VT) Lung Recurrent DVT, or PE and major bleeding Anticoagulant therapy, repeat compression ultrasonography, helical CT pulmonary, ventilation–perfusion lung scintigraphy, angio-graphy, or pulmonary angiography
Sandgren et al., 2010 [64] Other: Sweden Cross Sectional Study Palliative cancer patients 520 70 (62, 71, 79 quartiles, 2002 DATA); 74 (67, 76, 83, 2007) 107 (55.7%, 2002); 182 (55.5%, 2007) All Pain, deterioration, nausea, infection n/a
Skiba et al., 2020 [65] Australia Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Adult cancer patients with a recorded diagnosis of neutropenic fever who were hospitalized at a tertiary care hospital between January 2017 and December 2017 88 64 (12.25) 31 (35.2) All solid tumors Neutropenic fever Antibiotics
Soares, Martins, and Uchoa, 2003 [66] Other: Brazil Prospective Observational Cohort Study Patients with severe cancer pain admitted to our palliative care center’s emergency room between April 2001 and June 2002 and aged between 18 and 80, on concurrent morphine therapy for at least 2 weeks, and had severe pain at initial assessment 18 51 (34–74) 10 (55.5%) All solid tumors Severe pain IV fentanyl
Sutradhar, Barbera, and Seow, 2017 [67] Canada Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Each decedent had to be at least 18 years of age at cancer diagnosis and had to have received homecare nursing (with standard or palliative intent) prior to their date of death 54,743 Not reported 26,913 (47.9%) All Dyspnea, malaise and fatigue, acute abdominal or pelvic pain, fever with chills, pain in throat, projectile vomiting, nausea, disorientation, rheumatism or other soft-tissue disorders, panniculitis affecting regions of next and back multiple sites in spine n/a
Teimouri et al., 2022 [68] Canada Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Adult medical oncology patients (≥ 18 years of age) with an NSH-CZ postal code who had received at least one dose of nivolumab, ipilimumab, or the nivolumab plus ipilimumab combination for cancer treatment at the Victoria General Hospital 129 64 (11.0) 84 (65.1%) All Diarrhea/colitis, hepatitis, pneumonitis, nephrotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity Steroids
Verhoef et al., 2020 [69] Other: Netherlands Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Adult patients who visited the ED between May 2011 and June 2014, included those who were in the palliative phase of cancer at the moment of the ED visit and died within 3 months thereafter 420 63 (22–92) 229 (54.5%) All Dyspnea, pain, and ascites Imaging and blood tests, EOL goals of care discussions, hospitalizations
Verhoef et al., 2020 [70] Other: Netherlands Retrospective Observational Cohort Study All adult patients with HM who died within 3 months after their last ED visit were included. They were compared to patients. with ST having advanced cancer, which was defined as not having any curative options or receiving anticancer treatment not aimed at curation 498 63 (22–94, all); 61 (27–94, HM); 61 (22–92, ST) 282 (56.6%, all); 53/78 (67.9%, HM); 229/420 (54.5%, ST) All Dyspnea, pain, fever, nausea or vomiting, neurologic deterioration, weakness or loss of strength, bleeding, obstipation or diarrhea, fatigue, difficulty swallowing or passage problems, seizure, edema, ascites Diagnostic imaging, laboratory tests, hospitalization
Waddle et al., 2015 [71] United States Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Cancer patients who initiated external beam RT at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from January 1, 2010, through December 31, 2010 1116 Not reported 534 (47.85%) All GI symptoms, neurologic symptoms, respiratory symptoms, pain, fever or infection n/a
Won et al., 2014 [72] Other: Korea Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Patients aged 20 years and older, who stayed in the CED for more than 24 h and experienced pain with self-reported numeric rating scale (NRS) scores of 4 or greater at the time of admission or during the CED stay 455 53.9 (11.9, before CPCP); 56.2 (11.4, after CPCP) 81 (50%, before CPCP); 159 (55%, after CPCP) All Pain Regular, time-release analgesics and immediate-release analgesics
Woon et al., 2021 [73] Canada Retrospective Observational Cohort Study All men aged 66 and older who received abiraterone or enzalutamide as first-line (chemotherapy-naïve) treatment for mCRPC between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2017 in Ontario, Canada 3405 78.9 (7.2 overall) 3405 (100%) Prostate UTI, treatment-related toxicity n/a
Xia and Wang, 2016 [74] Other: China Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Patients aged ≥ 18 years; medical patients with a definite diagnosis of solid cancer according to pathological results obtained by surgical or micro-invasive biopsy; tumor metastasis assessed by radiography or exfoliative cytology; life expectancy evaluated by an oncologist as > 3 months; > 3 days in the ICU; and nonpregnant women 141 63 (54–74) 87 (61.7%) All solid tumors Respiratory failure, severe sepsis or septic shock, acute renal failure, acute heart failure Vasopressors, mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy
Yaman et al., 2022 [75] Other: Turkey Prospective Observational Cohort Study Patients 18 years or older, having hematological cancer, having laboratory TLS or clinical TLS, and receiving a single dose (7.5 mg) rasburicase 82 64 (19–85) 43 (52.4%) All hematological malignancies Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) Rasburicase administration
Yildirim and Tanriverdi, 2014 [76] Other: Turkey Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Patients > 18 yrs of age with cancer treated or followed at the Department of Medical Oncology of our institution between August 2011 and September 2013 107 51 (11.0, group 1); 52 (13.0, group 2) 41 (64%, group 1); 21 (49%, group 2) All Dyspnea, pain, deterioration in general health status, fever, hemorrhage, icterus, abdominal distention/ascites, neurological symptoms Pain treatment (fentanyl vs. tramadol vs. morphine), discharged, died in the ED, hospitalized
Yilmaz et al., 2017 [77] Other: Turkey Randomized Clinical Trial Adults 18 to 65 years of age presenting to the ED with lung cancer and dyspnea; presentation to the ED with the complaint of shortness of breath and, such as dyspnea on exertion, wheezing, and accessory muscle use; not requiring assisted ventilation, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) of < 250 91 Mean (95%CI): 54.7 (51.8–57.7) 46 (50.5%) Lung Dyspnea Salbutamol and magnesium sulfate

Abbreviations: ED Emergency Department, MLBO Malignant large-bowel obstruction, KAMC-HC King Abdullah Medical City Health Clusters, CAR Chimeric Antigen Receptor, ICU Intensive Care Unit, IV Intravenous, INF Intranasal Fentanyl, IVH Intravenous Hydromorphone, HSCT Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant, ICI Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors, ICD-9 International Classification of Diseases V9th Rev., GI Gastrointestinal, CRC Colorectal Cancer, VTE Venous Thromboembolism, HDT High-dose Therapy, ASCT Autologous Stem Cell Transplant, PE Pulmonary Embolism, DVT Deep Vein Thromboses, CAT Cancer-associated Venous Thrombosis, BTP Breakthrough Pain, APSCU Acute Palliative-Supportive Care Unit, ECG Electrocardiogram, CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, VRE Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus, BSI Blood Stream Infection, EOL End of Life, HM Hematemesis and Melena, CED Coverage with Evidence Development, NRS Numeric Rating Scale, UTI Urinary Tract Infection, TLS Tumor lysis Syndrome