Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy isn't generally used for renal cell cancer. This is the most common type of kidney cancer. You might have it if you have transitional cell cancer of the kidney.

What is it?

Chemotherapy uses anti cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells.

Why you might have it

New drugs are being developed all the time and new combinations of treatments are being tried. These must be fully tested in clinical trials before they can be used as treatments. This is so we can be sure they work for kidney cancer and are safe.

Some clinical trials are looking at combining chemotherapy drugs with targeted cancer drugs.

Chemotherapy for transitional cell cancer of the kidney

It is more common to have chemotherapy for a type of kidney cancer called transitional cell cancer. This can grow in the kidney, bladder or the connecting tubes of the urinary system (the ureters).

Transitional cell cancer behaves more like bladder cancer, so you may find the chemotherapy for bladder cancer section helpful.

How you have it

You have chemotherapy into your bloodstream or as tablets or capsules.

Into your bloodstream

You have the treatment through a drip into your arm or hand. A nurse puts a small tube (a cannula) into one of your veins and connects the drip to it.

You might need a central line. This is a long plastic tube that gives the drugs into a large vein, either in your chest or through a vein in your arm. It stays in while you’re having treatment, which may be for a few months.

Taking your tablets and capsules

You must take tablets and capsules according to the instructions your doctor or pharmacist gives you.

Whether you have a full or empty stomach can affect how much of a drug gets into your bloodstream.

You should take the right dose, not more or less.

Talk to your healthcare team before you stop taking or miss a dose of a cancer drug.

Where you have chemotherapy

You usually have treatment into your bloodstream at the cancer day clinic. You might sit in a chair for a few hours so it’s a good idea to take things in to do. For example, newspapers, books or electronic devices can all help to pass the time. You can usually bring a friend or family member with you.

You have some types of chemotherapy over several days. You might be able to have some drugs through a small portable pump that you take home.

For some types of chemotherapy you have to stay in a hospital ward. This could be overnight or for a couple of days.

Some hospitals may give certain chemotherapy treatments to you at home. Your doctor or nurse can tell you more about this.

Before you start chemotherapy

You need to have blood tests to make sure it’s safe to start treatment. You usually have these the day before or on the day you start treatment. You have blood tests before each round or cycle of treatment.

Side effects

Common chemotherapy side effects include:

  • feeling sick
  • loss of appetite
  • losing weight
  • feeling very tired
  • increased risk of getting an infection
  • bleeding and bruising easily
  • diarrhoea or constipation
  • hair loss
Contact your doctor or nurse immediately if you have signs of infection. These include a temperature above 37.5C or below 36C, or generally feeling unwell. Infections can make you very unwell very quickly.

Side effects depend on:

  • which drugs you have
  • how much of each drug you have
  • how you react

Tell your treatment team about any side effects that you have.

Most side effects only last for a few days or so. Your treatment team can help to manage any side effects that you have.

When you go home

Chemotherapy can be difficult to cope with. Tell your doctor or nurse about any problems or side effects that you have. The nurse will give you telephone numbers to call if you have any problems at home.

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