We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Cisplatin Toxicity?

By H. Lo
Updated: Feb 09, 2024
Views: 7,151
References
Share

Cisplatin is a platinum-containing compound used to treat certain types of cancers. The term “cisplatin toxicity” refers to how harmful or deadly cisplatin can be to the body. Cisplatin toxicity manifests in many forms and can occur from a standard dose of the medication, or an overdose. The major forms of cisplatin toxicity include renal toxicity, myelosupression and ototoxicity, in addition to hepatotoxicity, retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy. These and other types of cisplatin toxicity come with a variety of symptoms, some of which are side effects of the medication as well.

While under cisplatin treatment, a patient should talk to his or her doctor about any side effects he or she might have as some side effects are also signs of toxicity. Common side effects of cisplatin include nausea, vomiting and numbness or tingling in the hands or feet. Diarrhea, fatigue and loss of appetite are less common side effects, while rare side effects include chest pain, heart attack and seizure. While cisplatin toxicity does not necessarily result from overdose, an overdose can increase how dangerous and toxic the medication can be to the body. There is no antidote for cisplatin toxicity and if the condition is severe enough, it can result in death.

Medical conditions and interactions with other drugs can affect how the body responds to cisplatin. Diabetes and heart disease are examples of medical conditions that can play a role in cisplatin treatment, as well as kidney disease and liver disease. Drug interactions, on the other hand, include aminoglycosides, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The overall condition of the patient, then, as well as the side effects he or she experiences while under treatment, will help to determine or change his or her dosage.

Cisplatin itself works by stopping the growth of cancer cells. It is used to treat metastatic bladder, ovarian and testicular cancers, in addition to a variety of other types of cancers such as cervical carcinoma and lung cancer. The medication is administered intravenously and requires the patient to undergo an infusion, a procedure that takes at least an hour to complete. The overall length of a patient’s treatment depends on a variety of factors, much like those that determine his or her dosage. These factors include the type of cancer the patient has, the forms of treatment he or she is undergoing, and how well he or she responds to treatment.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-cisplatin-toxicity.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.