Kidney diseases associated with haematological cancers

Advances in chemotherapy for haematological malignancies, resulting from a greater understanding of the complex pathophysiology of these diseases, have improved the survival of patients with these disorders. Clinicians must now, therefore, be more aware of the issues related to fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base disorders, as well as acute and chronic kidney injuries that can develop in such patients as a result of the underlying malignancy and its treatment. Patients with acute kidney injury associated with haematological malignancy have a worse prognosis than do other patients with acute kidney injury. Glomerular diseases associated with haematological malignancies are thought to be paraneoplastic syndromes with variable histological presentations. Some of the newest therapeutic agents used to treat haematological malignancies have adverse renal effects that can preclude continuation of treatment, often leading to difficult clinical decisions when patients have advanced disease and alternative treatment options are limited. Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation has an expanding role as a therapy for haematological malignancies but is also associated with important renal complications. Here, we review the literature that examines the incidences, aetiologies, mechanisms and treatment options for renal disorders associated with haematological malignancies.