[How to evaluate renal function in cancer patients]

Abstract

The evaluation of renal function in patients with cancer is necessary. Measuring the actual glomerular filtration rate of the patient is the gold standard. This is usually done using a measure of the renal clearance of a marker of glomerular filtration rate (inulin) or a radio-marker (EDTA Chrome 51, (51)Cr-EDTA). However, these measures are complex and very constraining for the patient and in terms of organization and equipment. It is possible to estimate renal function by calculation. There are in the literature many evaluation formulae available. However, it is essential to use a tool reliable enough to determine an appropriate estimate of renal function, and adjust the doses of treatment if necessary. The choice of the abreviated MDRD (aMDRD) formula is so far the recommended option in oncology.