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Practical issues for the management of hyponatremia in oncology

  • Clinical Management of Endocrine Diseases
  • Published:
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Abstract

Hyponatremia is common in cancer patients and has a negative impact on outcomes and survival. Both the diagnosis and treatment of hyponatremia are challenging. Easy-to-use, practical guidelines are needed. The aim of this article is to discuss practical issues related to the diagnostic workup and management of hyponatremia, with particular attention to complex patients, such as those affected by neoplastic diseases. Admittedly, these patients may present several comorbidities, which may cause sodium alterations. In addition, multidrug therapy may precipitate serum sodium fall. An algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of hyponatremia was also developed, based on the discussion of the results of a questionnaire completed by the authors and of the published recommendations/guidelines on hyponatremia. The goal was to produce an algorithm that was as simple as possible but still comprehensive, without compromising information completeness. Many explanatory notes were added with the aim of guiding clinicians throughout the management of complex patients with hyponatremia, such as those with cancer. The resulting algorithm and supporting literature are presented.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Lorenza Lanini and Ray Hill, on behalf of Springer Healthcare Communications, for providing medical writing assistance and journal styling services prior to submission. These services were funded by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Italy.

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Correspondence to Alessandro Peri.

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Dr. Berardi reports personal fees from Bayer and Otsuka Europe (OPEL), outside the submitted work; Dr. Antonuzzo has been a consultant for MSD, Otsuka, Amgen, and Tesaro; Dr. Peri reports grants and personal fees from Otsuka Italy, grants and personal fees from Otsuka Europe (OPEL), outside the submitted work; Dr. Blasi, Dr. Buosi, Dr. Lorusso, Dr. Migliorino, Dr. Montesarchio, Dr. Zilembo and Dr. Sabbatini have nothing to disclose.

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Berardi, R., Antonuzzo, A., Blasi, L. et al. Practical issues for the management of hyponatremia in oncology. Endocrine 61, 158–164 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-018-1547-y

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