Renal function, serum calcium and magnesium during treatment of advanced bladder carcinoma with cis-dichlorodiamineplatinum: impact of tumour site, patient age and magnesium suppletion.

In a group of ten patients, treated with cisplatin for advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer, renal function deteriorated in six. In a group of 28 patients, treated with cisplatin for tumours outside the urinary tract, renal function was impaired in 14 (50%). Renal function deterioration occurred more frequently in later life. Localization of the primary tumour in the urinary tract does not seem to predispose to renal function impairment. In contrast with reports in the literature, there was a significant decrease in serum calcium levels in spite of magnesium suppletion and normal serum magnesium levels. These calcium levels spontaneously returned to normal some months after the last treatment course with cisplatin.