HICCUPS CANCER DISEASES
Keywords:
hiccups,persistent hiccups,chronic hiccups,intractable hiccups,recurrent hiccups,singultus (medical term for hiccups)Abstract
Hiccups are sudden, involuntary contractions of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles followed by rapid closure of the vocal cords, producing the characteristic “hic” sound. While short episodes of hiccups are common and harmless, persistent or intractable hiccups in cancer patients can be exhausting, painful, and may indicate an underlying complication that requires medical attention.
References
Alshammary S.A., et al. Successful Treatment of Persistent Hiccups in an Advanced Myeloblastic Leukemia Patient with Gabapentin. PMC. 2023.
Gilbar P., McPherson I. Severe hiccups during chemotherapy: corticosteroids the likely culprit. Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice. 2009;15(4):233-6.
Hosoya R., Tanaka I., Ishii-Nozawa R., Amino T., Kamata T., Hino S., Kagaya H., Uesawa Y. Risk Factors for Cancer Chemotherapy-Induced Hiccups (CIH). Pharmacology & Pharmacy. 2018;9:331-343. DOI:10.4236/pp.2018.98026.
Coradazzi A.L., Inhaia C.L.S., Caponero R. Hiccups in palliative patients: a mini review. Hosp & Palliative Med Int J. 2018;2(2):90–92. DOI:10.15406/hpmij.2018.02.00062.
Woelk C.J., et al. Managing hiccups. PMC-PubMed Central. 2011. Overview of causes including metabolic disorders
Medscape (via eMedicine). Hiccups: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology. Updated 2023. Contains list of metabolic causes (hyponatremia, hypocalcemia etc.).
Healthcare Providers’ Experiences with Hiccups in Patients (Wieland J et al., 2023)
A Systematic Literature Review of Interventions to Manage Hiccups in Patients With Cancer Undergoing Active Treatment (2025)
Successful Treatment of Persistent Hiccups in an Advanced Palliative Cancer Patient With Gabapentin: A Case Report (Alshammary S et al., 2023)
Study on Risk Factors for Hiccups Induced by Cisplatin‑based Chemotherapy (Japanese Journal of Hospital Pharmacy & Health Care Sciences, 2009)
