Renal impairment in patients with ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of renal impairment in patients with ovarian cancer at the time of the diagnosis. STUDY DESIGN: Creatinine clearance was estimated according to Cockcroft and Gault (C&G Ccr), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was determined as renal clearance of 99mTc-DTPA, and renal ultrasound was performed in 60 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer. RESULTS: A 28% of the total population studied had a GFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2). A moderate/severe dilation of the upper urinary tract was found in 12% of patients. The length of kidneys ranged between 9.0 and 13.5 cm, and a statistically significant correlation was found between kidney length and values of GFR. CONCLUSION: A reduction in renal function and a moderate to severe dilation of upper urinary tract frequently occur in patients with ovarian cancer at the time of the diagnosis.