CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) attributable to CytRx Corporation	$ (17,963,873)	$ (14,424,545)	$ 408,460
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	113,936	95,517	107,666
Loss on retirement of equipment and furnishings	42,267	10,206	63,853
Fair value adjustment of warrant liability	(2,766,704)	(7,915,027)	(933,420)
Unrealized foreign exchange loss	0	17,834	0
Gain on sale of affiliate's shares	0	0	(15,826,217)
Stock option and warrant expense	2,391,529	1,436,840	1,620,088
Common stock issued for services	0	0	44,450
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivable	65,902	83,302	(119,326)
Interest receivable	14,758	76,349	13,155
Income taxes recoverable	0	519,158	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(173,245)	277,232	(56,127)
Accounts payable	984,547	1,046,539	(38,131)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(1,753,767)	2,105,212	171,459
Total adjustments	(1,080,777)	(2,246,838)	(14,952,550)
Net cash used in operating activities	(19,044,650)	(16,671,383)	(14,544,090)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from matured marketable securities	23,125,442	25,644,481	26,250,000
Purchase of marketable securities	(29,067,770)	(23,134,292)	(24,067,861)
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	0	0	73,634
Proceeds from sale of affiliate's shares	0	6,938,603	8,887,614
Purchases of equipment and furnishings	(141,639)	(52,868)	(315,751)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(6,083,967)	9,395,924	10,827,636
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from common stock issued in public offering, net of fees	21,476,815	18,939,619	0
Proceeds from issuance of restricted stock to employee	100	0	0
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants	7,200	0	147,294
Net cash provided by financing activities	21,484,115	18,939,619	147,294
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(3,644,502)	11,664,160	(3,569,160)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	17,988,590	6,324,430	9,893,590
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	14,344,088	17,988,590	6,324,430
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash financing activities:
Warrants issued in connection with financing	0	12,216,680	0
Equipment and furnishings purchased but not paid	$ 1,506	$ 0	$ 0