Chemotherapy-associated renal dysfunction

The presence of renal dysfunction in a patient receiving chemotherapy can be devastating. Although many patients with cancer have underlying compromised renal function, some chemotherapeutic agents can actually induce renal abnormalities. An understanding of which traditional and newer chemotherapy agents can affect renal function is useful for physicians so that they can monitor patients for renal abnormalities and initiate preventive strategies to minimize renal complications. This review highlights renal abnormalities associated with current chemotherapy agents and provides suggestions for preventive measures.