Mechanism of action of diuretics in edema syndrome and ascites in cancer patients

Diuretics are a widely used class of medications in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as arterial hypertension, among others. They also play a role in the treatment of various other conditions. In addition to their use in cardiovascular diseases, they find significant application in treating conditions such as edema and ascites, particularly in oncological settings. In patients with edema caused by oncological diseases, especially those in terminal stages, and in patients with edema syndrome and ascites, diuretics can be beneficial in certain cases, assisting oncologists in their management. Their application follows specific guidelines due to the fact that different diuretics operate through distinct mechanisms of action. Although closely related in the emergence of conditions, edema syndrome and ascites exhibit different behaviors in the body. Therefore, their treatment must be tailored to the mechanism of action of different diuretics in cancer patients. This article aims to summarize the various mechanisms to guide proper management in oncology patients.