High Uric Acid Due To Chemotherapy

Overview

High uric acid is also known as hyperuricemia is when the amount of uric acid in the blood increases. The kidneys will try to excrete excess uric acid out of the body through urine. In chemotherapy, the tumor is broken down and the substances enter the bloodstream. When the tumor breaks down at a rapid rate, the kidney is not able to function to eliminate all the waste. Hence, acute kidney injury will happened and leading to poor excretion of uric acid from the body. High levels of uric acid in the blood lead to a collection of uric acid crystals in the joints, especially at the metacarpals, metatarsals and phalangeal joints. Besides that, it also leads to the formation of uric acid stones in the kidneys. It is important to prevent this by avoiding high purine food such as red meat, alcohol, peas, asparagus, beans, and mushrooms. Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, uricosuric drugs, and allopurinol can treat the condition.