Acute tumor lysis syndrome associated with concurrent biochemotherapy of metastatic melanoma: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND. Treatment of solid tumors rarely has been associated with tumor lysis syndrome. However, to the authors' knowledge the clinical scenario has not been reported previously in melanoma patients. METHODS. A patient with bulky metastatic melanoma was treated with concurrent biochemotherapy using interleukin-2, interferon-α, and a combination of cisplatin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine. RESULTS. Within 24 hours of the initiation of treatment, brisk tumor lysis occurred and led to a fatal outcome. CONCLUSIONS. Improvements in the treatment of solid tumors may increase the incidence of tumor lysis syndrome for tumors once believed to be marginally responsive. Oncologists should remain cognizant of this problem as more active regimens become available.