Hydration in cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
To provide an overview of issues central to hydration in an oncology population while highlighting recent advances and publications in the clinical and scientific literature.


RESULTS
Dehydration accounts for a significant number of unplanned visits to cancer clinics and emergency rooms. The decision to provide or withhold fluid in patients with terminal cancer is strongly influenced by subjective beliefs and the decision to use of hydration at the end of life should be individualized. Chronic dehydration may play a role in the pathogenesis of cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Cancer patients are at high risk for dehydration from both the disease and the treatment. Treating physicians should have a low threshold for providing additional fluids to prevent dehydration. For patients at the end of life, hydration may be indicated in select patients.
Price
Katharine A R
KA
Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. price.katharine@mayo.edu
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003681:Dehydration / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods*; D013894:Thirst / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents