In the United States, more than a million cancer patients get radiation or chemotherapy every year. However, in many cases, the removal of these chemotherapeutic medications from the body by the kidneys causes damage to the kidneys.
Your doctor will keep an eye on your kidney health to assist in safeguarding them during chemotherapy treatments.
To help remove chemotherapy waste from your body, they could recommend protective drugs or increase the amount of intravenous (IV) fluids you receive.
To enhance kidney function, chemotherapeutic treatments may occasionally need to be discontinued or temporarily modified.
How do you keep your kidneys healthy during cancer treatment?
Your doctors may run several tests to assess the health of your kidneys before beginning chemotherapy.
To assist in protecting your kidneys during chemotherapy, doctors may do the following:
- assessing the kidneys' functioning by measuring the amounts of fluid and electrolytes
- adding more fluids to the body to aid in the removal of chemotherapy medication waste
- recommending medications such as amifostine to assist in kidney protection
- addressing any additional medical conditions
- if the kidneys are failing, suggest dialysis or reducing the dosage of chemotherapy
Can chemo cause kidney failure?
The term "nephrotoxicity" in science refers to the deterioration of kidney function caused by hazardous substances and drugs. Substances that can cause nephrotoxicity are referred to as nephrotoxins.
Nephrotoxins that are frequently used in chemotherapy treatments include:
- methotrexate
- semustine
- mithramycin
- cisplatin
- streptozocin
Nephrotoxins, which are present in chemotherapy treatments, can harm kidney tissues and result in cyst formation and inflammation. renal failure, chronic renal disease, and dysfunction may follow from this.
Can kidneys recover from chemo damage?
Kidney damage caused by chemotherapy can often be repaired. Your kidneys may get healthier once chemotherapy is over and they are no longer needed to filter harmful substances.
The following are some variables that impact the kidneys' ability to heal from any damage caused by chemotherapy:
- Whether or whether renal issues existed before chemotherapy
- the scope and duration of the chemotherapy sessions
- the particular medications used in chemotherapy
- if further therapies, like as radiotherapy, are carried out
When it's necessary to reduce the dosage of chemotherapy drugs or temporarily stop treatments to avoid long-term kidney damage, monitoring your kidneys can help.
Is kidney failure common in cancer patients on chemo?
A 2019 study that tracked 163,071 patients undergoing targeted pharmacological therapy or chemotherapy discovered acute kidney damage (AKJ) in 9.3% of the patients.
Within the first ninety days after cancer therapy, kidney damage was twice as likely to occur, according to the study. The most common malignancies with AKJ were leukaemia, myeloma, and bladder cancer.
Among the variables associated with an increased risk of kidney damage were diabetes, preexisting renal diseases, and an advanced stage of cancer.
An additional investigation examined kidney issues in paediatric cancer patients. It was reported that during and soon after treatment, renal and urinary tract problems affected 56% of the children.
While it was far more common than in their siblings, severe kidney damage was unusual in long-term survivors.
What is the treatment for kidney disease?
Your doctor can suggest medication, lifestyle modifications, lowering the dosage of chemotherapy, or even kidney dialysis if the treatment damages your kidneys.
Healthy lifestyle choices, such as quitting smoking and alcohol, can improve kidney function. Also, you may maintain the best possible health for your kidneys by eating a diet low in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. Here's where you can read more about that.
If you are overweight or obese, your doctor could also advise consistent exercise and weight loss.
Kidney illness cannot be cured by any particular drug. However, medications such as diuretics might be useful in clearing the body of surplus fluid and waste.
Doctors may advise cutting back on the dosage of chemotherapy in specific circumstances.
Dialysis could be required if the kidneys are unable to adequately filter and eliminate waste from the body.
Takeaway
As your kidneys process and eliminate chemotherapy medications from your body, they may sustain harm.
Your doctors may give protective drugs and increase the amount of fluid you receive in your infusions during chemotherapy treatments to help prevent serious kidney damage.
Before starting chemotherapy, they will do tests to assess the health of your kidneys, and they will keep checking them while you are receiving chemotherapy.
If your kidneys can no longer adequately remove waste from your body, you might need to switch up your chemotherapy regimen or start dialysis.
FAQs
Does chemotherapy damage kidneys?
The byproducts of this process have the potential to harm kidney, ureter, and bladder cells.
How long is urine toxic after chemo?
3 days or 7 days
Is it OK to sleep next to a chemo patient?
Since visitors (including young children, infants, and expectant mothers) are unlikely to come into contact with any chemotherapy medications or bodily fluids, there is no risk to them.
Can I kiss a chemo patient?
Rest assured that there is no way for your significant other to contract cancer from kissing or other close contact.
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