The estimated an annualized forfeiture rate for options granted to employees.

No definition available.

Name:	cytr_EstimatedAnnualizedForfeitureRate
Namespace Prefix:	cytr_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Refers to share-based compensation arrangements by share-based payment award, options, exercised, forfeitures, expired in period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cytr_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisedForfeituresExpiredInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	cytr_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Refers to share-based compensation arrangements by share-based payment award, options, exercised, forfeitures, expired in period, weighted average exercise price.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cytr_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisedForfeituresExpiredInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Namespace Prefix:	cytr_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Exercise price per share or per unit of warrants or rights outstanding.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(i)(4))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of securities into which the class of warrant or right may be converted. For example, but not limited to, 500,000 warrants may be converted into 1,000,000 shares.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(i)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based compensation awards.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date the equity-based award expires, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The estimated dividend rate (a percentage of the share price) to be paid (expected dividends) to holders of the underlying shares over the option's term.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The estimated measure of the percentage by which a share price is expected to fluctuate during a period. Volatility also may be defined as a probability-weighted measure of the dispersion of returns about the mean. The volatility of a share price is the standard deviation of the continuously compounded rates of return on the share over a specified period. That is the same as the standard deviation of the differences in the natural logarithms of the stock prices plus dividends, if any, over the period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The risk-free interest rate assumption that is used in valuing an option on its own shares.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of shares into which fully or partially vested stock options outstanding as of the balance sheet date can be currently converted under the option plan.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The weighted-average price as of the balance sheet date at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance on vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable under the stock option plan.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Net number of share options (or share units) granted during the period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of options outstanding, including both vested and non-vested options.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(1)(i)-(ii)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average price at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance under the stock option plan.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average per share amount at which grantees can acquire shares of common stock by exercise of options.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period from grant date that an equity-based award expires, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Expected term of share-based compensation awards, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (f)(2)(i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 14.D.2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27013229&loc=d3e301413-122809

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis=cytr_EmployeesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis=cytr_NonEmployeesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis=cytr_EmployeesAndDirectorsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis=us-gaap_ManagementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis=us-gaap_DirectorMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis=cytr_FormerExecutiveMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=cytr_StockOptionsAndWarrantsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_WarrantMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=cytr_LongTermIncentivePlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=cytr_StockIncentivePlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Stock Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Stock Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Options [Abstract]
Share based compensation expense		$ 5,400,604	$ 4,520,307
Employees [Member]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, fair value assumptions and methodology [Abstract]
Estimated annualized forfeiture rate		10.00%	10.00%
Non-Employees [Member]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, fair value assumptions and methodology [Abstract]
Estimated annualized forfeiture rate		0.00%	0.00%
Employees and Directors [Member]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, fair value assumptions and methodology [Abstract]
Unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options, granted				$ 4,100,000
Unrecognized compensation cost, recognized as expense over a weighted-average period		11 months 16 days
Senior Management [Member]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, fair value assumptions and methodology [Abstract]
Estimated annualized forfeiture rate		2.00%	2.00%
Directors [Member]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, fair value assumptions and methodology [Abstract]
Estimated annualized forfeiture rate		0.00%	0.00%
Former Executive [Member]
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Options [Abstract]
Share based compensation expense	$ 1,900,000
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, shares subject to stock options (in shares)	13,437,822	14,219,576		13,437,822
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, fair value assumptions and methodology [Abstract]
Contractual term and expected life		10 years
Number of Options (Employees and Non-Employees) [Abstract]
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares)		14,219,576
Granted (in shares)		475,000	550,000
Exercised, forfeited or expired (in shares)		(1,256,754)
Outstanding at end of period (in shares)	13,437,822	13,437,822
Options exercisable at end of period (in shares)	9,842,803	9,842,803
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Options [Abstract]
Outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per share)		$ 3.10
Granted (in dollars per share)		2.05
Exercised, forfeited or expired (in dollars per share)		3.30
Outstanding at end of period (in dollars per share)	$ 3.04	3.04
Options exercisable at end of period (in dollars per share)	$ 3.27	$ 3.27
Stock Options [Member] \| Employees [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, shares subject to stock options (in shares)	12,837,822	13,583,862		12,837,822
Number of Options (Employees and Non-Employees) [Abstract]
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares)		13,583,862
Granted (in shares)		475,000
Exercised, forfeited or expired (in shares)		(1,221,040)
Outstanding at end of period (in shares)	12,837,822	12,837,822
Options exercisable at end of period (in shares)	9,242,803	9,242,803
Stock Options [Member] \| Non-Employees [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, shares subject to stock options (in shares)	600,000	635,714		600,000
Number of Options (Employees and Non-Employees) [Abstract]
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares)		635,714
Granted (in shares)		0
Exercised, forfeited or expired (in shares)		(35,714)
Outstanding at end of period (in shares)	600,000	600,000
Options exercisable at end of period (in shares)	600,000	600,000
Stock Options and Warrants [Member]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, fair value assumptions and methodology [Abstract]
Risk-free interest rate		1.72%	2.21%
Expected volatility		74.90%
Expected lives		6 years
Expected dividend yield		0.00%	0.00%
Stock Options and Warrants [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, fair value assumptions and methodology [Abstract]
Expected volatility			78.20%
Expected lives			6 years
Stock Options and Warrants [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, fair value assumptions and methodology [Abstract]
Expected volatility			84.40%
Expected lives			10 years
Warrants [Member]
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Options [Abstract]
Number of warrants issued (in shares)				500,000	500,000
Exercise price of warrants (in dollars per share)				$ 1.89	$ 1.74
2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, shares subject to stock options (in shares)	600,000	600,000		600,000
Expiration date		Aug. 06, 2010
Share-based compensation, shares available for future grant (in shares)				0
Number of Options (Employees and Non-Employees) [Abstract]
Outstanding at end of period (in shares)	600,000	600,000
2008 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, shares subject to stock options (in shares)	13,400,000	13,400,000		13,400,000
Share-based compensation, shares available for future grant (in shares)				16,400,000
Number of Options (Employees and Non-Employees) [Abstract]
Outstanding at end of period (in shares)	13,400,000	13,400,000