Renal Cell Carcinoma Treatment 3 Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells by impeding their growth and reproduction. The drugs may be taken as tablets or capsules or by injection into a vein (intravenously). These drugs enter the bloodstream and reach all areas of the body, making this treatment potentially useful for cancer that has spread or metastasized to organs beyond the kidney.
Chemotherapy is not a standard treatment for the commonest type of kidney cancer – renal cell cancer. It is not as good at treating kidney cancer as some other treatments such as biological treatments. Most of the currently available cytostatics are ineffective for the treatment of RCC. Their use cannot be recommended for the treatment of patients with metastasized RCC. You may be offered chemotherapy as part of a clinical trial of new drugs, or in combination with biological therapy, radiation therapy or surgery. 5-Fluorouracil is one of the most commonly used chemotherapy drugs for treating renal cell kidney cancer. It is usually given in combination with interferon and IL-2 (aldesleukin).
Usually chemotherapy is an outpatient treatment that is given at the hospital, clinic, or the doctor’s office. However, depending on which drugs are given and the patient’s general health, the patient may need a short hospital stay.
The side effects of kidney cancer chemotherapy will depend on the drugs and the doses that the patient receives as well as how the drugs are given. In addition, side effects vary from patient to patient. Common side effects of chemotherapy drugs can include feeling more tired than usual and a temporary increase in your risk of infection. Other side effects may include nausea, vomiting, hair loss and mouth sores. Some drugs may also cause a rash when they come into contact with the skin or genitals. Your doctor or nurse will tell you what problems, if any, to expect from your treatment. The fractionated dose approach may diminish the side effects, particularly nausea and vomiting.
Systemic kidney cancer chemotherapy affects cancer cells and other cells that divide rapidly, which include:
- Blood cells: These cells fight infection, help your blood to clot, and carry oxygen to all parts of the body. When drugs affect your blood cells, you are more likely to get infections, bruise or bleed easily, and feel very weak and tired.
- Cells in hair roots: Chemotherapy can cause you to lose your hair. Although the hair will grow back, it may be somewhat different in color and texture.
- Cells that line the digestive tract: Chemotherapy can cause a poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and mouth and lip sores.
