Refeeding syndrome in cancer patients.
BACKGROUND
Refeeding syndrome (RFS) is a common, yet underappreciated, constellation of electrolyte derangements that typically occurs in acutely ill, malnourished hospitalised patients who are administered glucose solutions or other forms of intravenous or enteral nutrition.


CONCLUSIONS
The hallmark of RFS is hypophosphataemia, but hypokalaemia and hypomagnesaemia are also common. Patients with various types of malignancies are at-risk for RFS, but very little exists in the oncologic literature about this disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
As RFS can have many adverse metabolic, cardiovascular, haematologic and neurologic complications, practicing oncologist needs to be aware of the pathophysiology, risk factors and clinical manifestations to promptly recognise this important, and potentially fatal, metabolic disorder.
Marinella
M A
MA
Wright State University School of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Dayton, OH, USA. mmarinella@pol.net
D000368:Aged; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D017674:Hypophosphatemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008275:Magnesium Deficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011188:Potassium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013577:Syndrome
D004573:Electrolytes; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D011188:Potassium