Mild hypomagnesemia as the most common Cisplatin nephropathy in Iran

Cisplatin still has a central role in cancer chemotherapy, but is associated with the risk of toxicities, the most common of which is nephrotoxicity. The aim of the present study is evaluation of cisplatin nephrotoxicity in Iranian population of cancer patients.

All admitted patients to the oncology service who received cisplatin were included in a prospective study from 2004 to 2010. Clinical and laboratory data including kidney function tests were recorded at baseline and during follow-up visits.

One hundred patients (56% men) were included. Their mean age was 44 years. Common adverse events were nausea (85%) and vomiting (78%), followed by anorexia and fatigue (20%), taste change (10%), hearing loss (8%), cramping abdominal pain (8%), and tinnitus (5%). The most important finding was normal kidney function, except for mild hypomagnesemia (grade 1 toxicity) in 18%, without any symptoms or other electrolyte abnormalities. None of the patients with hypomagnesemia had significant serum electrolyte imbalances, diarrhea, severe allergic reactions, difficulty in walking, or chest pain.

Cisplatin has the potential to produce both mild and severe side effects. Although the neurologic and gastrointestinal toxicities were observed, renal toxicity (rising blood urea and creatinine or electrolyte abnormality) was not observed, and the only toxicity was grade 1 hypomagnesaemia.