Magnesium Depletion in Patients With Cancer

• Dr. Alberto Carlos Reino — Nephrologist, Nefron SAS, Medellín, Colombia; Honorary Professor, Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia

Nephrology · Oncology

Magnesium depletion is a clinically relevant electrolyte abnormality in patients with cancer and may result from the malignancy itself, poor nutritional intake, gastrointestinal losses, renal wasting, or anticancer therapies. Platinum-based chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and certain supportive medications can contribute to magnesium loss, making regular monitoring important in patients at risk. Hypomagnesemia may present with weakness, tremor, muscle cramps, arrhythmias, or neuromuscular irritability and can coexist with hypokalemia or hypocalcemia. Evaluation should include serum magnesium alongside relevant renal and electrolyte parameters, with attention to the underlying cause. Management involves addressing contributing factors and replacing magnesium according to the severity of deficiency and clinical setting, while monitoring for recurrence and renal function.