THE IMPACT OF THE SYNDROME OF INAPPROPRIATE ANTIDIURESIS AND HYPONATREMIA IN CANCER PATIENTS

Hyponatremia, which is associated with a number of pathological conditions, is a rather common finding also in cancer patients. The Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuresis is the cause of hyponatremia in more than 30% of these patients. There is a growing body of evidence that this electrolyte disorder is associated with a reduced progression-free survival and overall survival in different types of cancer. It is not completely clear whether hyponatremia per se is the cause of a worse prognosis in cancer patients or it is merely a marker of disease severity. However, some studies showed that the correction of hyponatremia is associated with an increased survival in cancer patients. Admittedly, further confirmatory data from both basic and clinical research are needed, in order to validate the hypothesis that cancer patients may die for hyponatremia. Nevertheless, because published data also indicate that the normalization of hyponatremia is associated with an improved quality of life, reduced length of stay in the hospital and reduced probability of re-admission, it is conceivable to recommend that hyponatremia is appropriately corrected.