Gynaecological oncology emergencies

​​​​If any of the following are present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or seek emergency medical advice via phone to on-call consultant/registrar.

This emergency criteria are not an exhaustive list of gynaecological oncology emergencies. Health professionals should refer to HealthPathways for more information.

On this page​​

  1. Adult Gynaecological Oncology
    1. Cervical cancer
    2. Endometrial and uterine cancer
    3. Gestational trophoblastic disease
    4. Ovarian cancer
    5. Vulval cancer
    6. Non-condition specific

Adult patients (aged 16 years or over) ​

Cervical cancer

  • Acute urinary obstruction resulting from known malignancy
  • Febrile neutropaenia during chemotherapy treatment
    Note: contact medical oncologist or treating team following emergency department presentation
  • Significant or uncontrolled vaginal bleeding
  • Urinary retention resulting from known malignancy

Endometrial and uterine cancer

  • Acute urinary obstruction resulting from known malignancy
  • Febrile neutropaenia during chemotherapy treatment
    Note: contact medical oncologist or treating team following emergency department presentation
  • Significant or uncontrolled vaginal bleeding
  • Symptomatic ascites resulting from known malignancy
  • Urinary retention resulting from known malignancy

Gestational trophoblastic disease

  • Chronic or acute blood loss with elevated beta human chorionic gonadotropin (ßhCG)
  • Detection of cerebral, pulmonary or liver metastases in combination with elevated ßhCG
  • Hyperthyroidism crisis with elevated ßhCG
  • Respiratory distress or pulmonary embolism with elevated ßhCG
  • Significant or uncontrolled vaginal bleeding 6 weeks post-partum in the presence of a positive ßhCG

Ovarian cancer

  • Febrile neutropaenia during chemotherapy treatment
    Note: contact medical oncologist or treating team following emergency department presentation
  • Signs or symptoms of bowel obstruction, symptomatic ascites, or symptomatic pleural effusion and respiratory compromise
  • Urinary retention resulting from known malignancy

Vulval cancer

  • Advanced infection associated with necrotic or ulcerative vulval lesion
  • Febrile neutropaenia during chemotherapy treatment
    Note: contact medical oncologist or treating team following emergency department presentation
  • Urinary retention resulting from advanced known malignancy

Non-condition specific

  • Acute or severe abdominal or pelvic pain
  • Evidence of haemodynamic compromise (e.g. hypotension, postural hypotension, tachycardia) with or without vaginal bleeding
  • Post-operative complications within 6 weeks of surgery, including wound or intra-abdominal infection, wound breakdown, vaginal bleeding or discharge, and abdominal pain
Current as at: Monday 23 March 2026
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