[The tumor lysis syndrome: case report and review of the literature].

Tumor lysis syndrome is specific acute renal failure. This syndrome is usually a complication of cytostatic therapy in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma. Tumor cell lysis following chemotherapy may lead to metabolic complications and renal failure. We report herein, two patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who developed tumor lysis syndrome after chemotherapy. Furthermore, we describe important measures to prevent tumor lysis syndrome in high risk patients.