Selected complications in the patient with cancer: spinal cord compression, malignant bowel obstruction, malignant ascites, and gastrointestinal bleeding.

The growth rate of a tumor, patterns of tumor growth and metastatic spread, and toxicity of therapy contribute to the type and severity of complications. Four common critical care complications resulting from compressive and invasive properties of tumors include spinal cord compression, malignant bowel obstruction, malignant ascites, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Knowledge of the clinical presentations of each of these complications provides a foundation for nursing assessment.