Treatments for renal cell carcinoma can cause side effects that range from mild to potentially life threatening in some people. Possible treatments include chemotherapy, kidney surgery, and immunotherapy.
Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of cancer affecting the kidneys. It accounts for about
All treatments for renal cell carcinoma may cause side effects. This article discusses some of the potential side effects of the following renal cell carcinoma treatments:
- kidney surgery
- radiation therapy
- immunotherapy
- targeted therapy
- chemotherapy
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For renal cell carcinoma stages 1-3, experts
Surgeons typically use keyhole surgery, or laparoscopy, to perform a nephrectomy.
Partial nephrectomy
According to a small 2016 study of 68 people who underwent a laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, 12 people experienced one or more complications due to the procedure. This represents 17.64% of the total number of people involved in the study. The complications included:
- fever lasting for more than 1 day
- bleeding
- urine leaks
- prolonged ileus, which refers to slow intestinal movement
- lower respiratory tract infection
Radical nephrectomy
An older study from 2013 looked at 558 people who underwent open radical nephrectomy, which is a less common and more invasive procedure than laparoscopic radical nephrectomy.
Some of the complications that people in the study experienced were:
- gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea and ileus
- bleeding
- infections
- neurological problems, such as vertigo and seizures
- heart-related issues, such as hypotension (low blood pressure) and angina
- lung conditions, such as pneumonia and pneumothorax
- blood clots
- skin rashes
- genitourinary issues, including urinary retention and kidney failure
- acidosis
Overall risks
Both types of nephrectomy carry some risks,
- infections
- bleeding
- blood clots
- allergic reaction to anesthesia
- incisional hernia
- urine leakage into the abdomen
- organ damage
- pneumothorax
- kidney failure
Radiation is a common form of therapy for several different cancers, including renal cell carcinoma. It uses high energy rays or particles to destroy cancer cells. It
Some common side effects include:
Healthcare professionals may use immunotherapy in
There are several types of immunotherapy for a doctor to choose from when recommending treatment. A person should let their doctor know if they experience side effects, as another immunotherapy option might be available that may not cause side effects for the person.
Side effects vary depending on the type of immunotherapy a person receives. However, side effects
- fatigue
- rash
- gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea and abdominal pain
- itchy skin
- flu-like symptoms, such as body aches, chills, and fever
- heart-related issues, such as hypotension, rapid heart rate, or heart attack
- changes in mental state, such as confusion
A doctor
As with all kidney cancer treatments, targeted therapy may cause some side effects. Not everyone experiences side effects, and the severity of any side effects can vary among individuals.
Some potential side effects
- skin issues, such as rashes, dry skin, and photosensitivity
- changes in hair growth and texture, such as hair thinning
- high blood pressure
- autoimmune reactions, in which the immune system attacks healthy cells by mistake
- slow-healing wounds
- swelling
- gastrointestinal issues
- clotting or bleeding issues
- fatigue
- headaches
- damage to the heart and other organs
- increased risk of infection
- mouth sores
Chemotherapy uses medications to kill or destroy cancer cells. People may take these medications orally or receive them as an intravenous infusion.
It is not a standard treatment for renal cell carcinoma because the cancer cells
Chemotherapy side effects vary depending on the medication, dosage, and length of treatment, but they may include:
- mouth sores
- nausea
- hair loss
- vomiting
- constipation
- loss of appetite
- diarrhea
- fatigue
- increased risk of infection
- easily bleeding or bruising
People with renal cell carcinoma should speak with a healthcare professional about their treatment options and any potential side effects they may experience.
If a person is concerned about any of the side effects they are experiencing, they should speak with their doctor, who may be able to recommend an alternative treatment or ways to manage the side effects.
Renal cell carcinoma treatments can be safe and effective. However, they may also cause side effects that range from mild to potentially life threatening in severity.
Some people may not experience any side effects from renal cell carcinoma treatment. However, a person should speak with a doctor if they experience unpleasant or potentially serious side effects. In some cases, they may be able to switch treatments.