Frequency of electrolyte imbalance associated with cisplatin in oral cancer patients; a tertiary care experience from Pakistan

Abstract

Introduction: Electrolyte imbalance associated with cisplatin is quite prevalent, and increase morbidity in cancer patients. Objectives: To determine the frequency of electrolyte imbalance associated with cisplatin in oral cancer patients. Patients and Methods: Oral cancer patients of more than 16 years of age, who received cisplatin-based cancer chemotherapy, were monitored for electrolyte imbalance (Na, K, Ca and Mg). Patients who were as the known cases of kidney disease (acute or chronic) or those having electrolyte imbalance prior to start of chemotherapy were excluded. Primary outcome was to determine electrolyte imbalance. Results: Among 98 patients, 90 patients developed electrolyte imbalance to cisplatin chemotherapy. The observed electrolyte imbalance included hyponatremia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia and hypocalcaemia. Hypokalemia is found to be the most common electrolyte to be affected in the patients (91.8%), whereas hypocalcemia in 88.7%, hypomagnesemia in 67.34% is also observed. Mild hyponatremia is also observed less frequently in 67% of patients. Conclusion: Cisplatin-based chemotherapy has a high potential to cause electrolyte imbalance. Most of the abnormalities were of milder nature and not associated with symptoms. The common electrolyte abnormalities such as hypokalemia, hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia were statistically significant, but hyponatremia was not statistically significant.