The single cell ICP-MS is a growing research field in many disciplines such as toxicology, medical diagnosis, drug and cancer research or metallomics. This study focuses on quantitation of cisplatin within individual cells and is a better method for analyzing cisplatin uptake in a population of cells. The distribution of cisplatin uptake is heterogeneous in cells, which more closely reflects what occurs within tumors. SC-ICP-MS allows for the development of strategies to increase cisplatin uptake, translating to a better clinical response. Cisplatin resistant cells display differences in other metals as well. Further method development is needed to measure other metals.