Booklet: What You Need to Know about Renal Cell Carcinoma

Side Effects of Treatment

It is hard to limit the effects of therapy so that only cancer cells are removed or destroyed. Because treatment also damages healthy cells and tissues, it often causes unwanted side effects.

The side effects of cancer therapy depend mainly on the type and extent of the treatment. Also, side effects may not be the same for each person, and they may even change from one treatment to the next. Doctors and nurses can explain the possible side effects of therapy, and they can help relieve problems that may occur during and after treatment. Patients should notify a doctor of the side effects they are having, as some may require immediate medical attention.

Surgery

The side effects of kidney surgery depend on the type of operation, the patient's general health, and other factors. Nephrectomy is major surgery, and after the operation most people have pain and discomfort. Patients may find it difficult to breathe deeply due to discomfort from surgery; they may have to do special coughing and breathing exercises to help keep their lungs clear. It is also common for patients who have had surgery to feel tired or weak for a while.

In addition, patients may need intravenous (IV) feeding and fluids for several days before and after the operation. When a kidney is removed, the one remaining kidney takes over the work of both. Nurses will monitor the amount of fluid a person takes in and the amount of urine produced. The length of time it takes to recover from an operation varies for each person.

Arterial Embolization

Arterial embolization can cause pain, fever, nausea, or vomiting. Often, people need IV fluids as the body recovers from this procedure.

Radiation Therapy

With radiation therapy, the side effects depend on the treatment dose and the part of the body that is treated. Patients are likely to become very tired, especially in the later weeks of treatment. Resting is important, but doctors usually advise patients to try to stay as active as they can.

It is common for the skin in the treated area to become red, dry, tender, and itchy. There may be permanent darkening or "bronzing" of the skin in the treated area. Radiation to the kidney and nearby areas may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or urinary discomfort. It may also cause a decrease in the number of white blood cells, cells that help protect the body against infection. The National Cancer Institute booklet Radiation Therapy and You has helpful information about radiation therapy and managing its side effects.

Biological Therapy

The side effects caused by biological therapy vary with the type of treatment. These treatments may cause flu-like symptoms such as chills, fever, muscle aches, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Patients often feel very tired after treatment, and they may bleed or bruise easily. Some people also get a skin rash. In addition, interleukin therapy can cause swelling and can interfere with normal liver or kidney function. These problems can be severe, but they go away after the treatment stops.

Chemotherapy

The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the drugs that are given. In general, anticancer drugs affect rapidly growing cells, such as blood cells that fight infection, cells that line the digestive tract, and cells in the hair follicles. As a result, patients may have side effects such as lower resistance to infection, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or mouth sores. They may also have less energy and may lose their hair.

Hormone Therapy

The side effects of hormone therapy are usually mild. Progesterone is the hormone most often used to treat kidney cancer. Drugs containing progesterone may cause changes in appetite and weight. They may also cause swelling or fluid retention. These side effects generally go away after treatment.

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