Kidney cancer occurs when cells grow abnormally or uncontrollably in your kidneys. Chemotherapy is one of the treatments used to fight kidney cancer, but it is not always the first choice of treatment. If surgery or other treatments are not possible or effective, your doctor may suggest chemotherapy.
The most common types of kidney cancer such as renal cell carcinoma (RCC) typically do not respond well to chemotherapy, so it is not usually part of the treatment for these cancers. Immunotherapy and targeted drugs are the most common treatments for advanced kidney cancers. However, chemotherapy can be helpful for some less common types of RCC, including collecting duct RCC and renal medullary carcinoma.
What is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. Doctors give chemotherapy in cycles. Each cycle is followed by a period of rest for the body to recover. Chemotherapy cycles generally last a few weeks. These drugs can be given in several ways: as pills, injections, or through an IV (intravenous line). Chemotherapy targets and destroys cancer cells present throughout the body.
Patients presenting with stage IV kidney cancer who undergo chemotherapy have been reported to have higher survival rates than patients without chemotherapy. However, for most people with kidney cancer, doctors will first try other treatments, like surgery, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy, which may work better than chemotherapy. Moreover, the combination treatment with surgery plus chemotherapy had higher survival rates than surgery or chemotherapy alone.
How Does Chemotherapy Help with Kidney Cancer?
Chemotherapy helps shrink or slow the growth of kidney tumors. It may not cure kidney cancer alone, but it can reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life. Sometimes, chemotherapy is used in combination with other treatments, like surgery or immunotherapy.
For advanced kidney cancer, chemotherapy might be part of a treatment plan to manage the disease and keep it under control for as long as possible.
Which Chemotherapy Drugs Are Used for Kidney Cancer?
Some of the drugs used in chemotherapy for kidney cancer may include the following:
- Cisplatin – Cisplatin is one of the most commonly used chemotherapy drugs for various cancers, including kidney cancer.
- Gemcitabine – Gemcitabine is sometimes used in combination with cisplatin for kidney cancer. It
- Vinblastine – Vinblastine is a chemotherapy drug that can be used in rare cases of kidney cancer. It is especially used in cases where the cancer is not responding to other treatments.
- 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) – 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a chemotherapy agent occasionally used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs for advanced kidney cancer, though it is not a standard treatment.
Doctors may also use combinations of these drugs for better results.
How is Chemotherapy Given for Kidney Cancer?
Chemotherapy can be given in different ways, depending on the drugs used and the stage of the cancer:
- Intravenous (IV): Most chemotherapy drugs are given through an IV, where the medicine is injected directly into the bloodstream.
- Oral pills: Some chemotherapy drugs are available in pill form, which you can take at home.
- Injections: In some cases, chemotherapy drugs are given as injections into a muscle or under the skin.
Treatment may be done in cycles. This means you will receive chemotherapy for a certain period, followed by a break to allow your body to recover.
What are the Possible Side Effects of Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is a strong treatment, and it affects both cancer and healthy cells, causing side effects. Not everyone experiences the same side effects, and some people may have few or none at all.
The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the drugs given, the doses used, and the length of treatment. Some common side effects of chemotherapy are:
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hair loss
- Mouth sores
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Increased chance of infections due to weak immune system
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Mouth sores
These side effects typically resolve once treatment is completed, and there are often methods to prevent them. For example, you can use medicine to help reduce or prevent nausea and vomiting. Your doctor will monitor you closely and may give you medicines to help manage these side effects.
Certain chemotherapy drugs may also cause additional side effects. For example, cisplatin, carboplatin, and paclitaxel can harm the nerves, leading to symptoms like pain, burning, tingling, sensitivity to heat or cold, or weakness, usually in the hands and feet.
Be sure to discuss with your doctor the potential side effects of the chemotherapy drugs you are receiving.
What to Expect During Chemotherapy Treatment
When you start chemotherapy for kidney cancer, you will go to a treatment center or hospital. The treatment may take several hours, especially if you are receiving chemotherapy through an IV. It is important to bring someone with you for support, as treatment can be long and tiring.
Your doctor will carefully plan the schedule and dosage of chemotherapy to balance its effectiveness with minimizing side effects. Depending on your treatment plan, you may need to visit the hospital for multiple sessions.
What are the Alternatives to Chemotherapy for Kidney Cancer?
While chemotherapy is one option, there are other treatments available that may work better for kidney cancer.These may include the following:
- Surgery – If the cancer is localized, then surgical removal of the tumor or part of the kidney is often the first line of treatment.
- Targeted Therapy – Targeted therapy focuses on specific genes or proteins that allow cancer cells to grow. It can be more effective for kidney cancer than chemotherapy.
- Immunotherapy – Immunotherapy helps the body’s immune system fight cancer by boosting its natural defenses.
In many cases, doctors will combine treatments to give you the best chance of success.
Conclusion
Chemotherapy is not the first choice of treatment for kidney cancer, but it can be an important part of treatment for certain cases. It may help shrink tumors, control symptoms, and improve quality of life, though it comes with side effects.
If your doctor recommends chemotherapy, they will guide you through the process, making sure you understand what to expect and how to manage any side effects. Other treatments, like surgery or targeted therapies, may also be part of your plan. Always talk to your healthcare team about the best options for your specific situation.
FAQs
What is the last stage of kidney cancer?
Stage IV is the last stage of kidney cancer. In stage IV, the cancer spreads beyond the kidneys to other distant organs such as the lungs, bones, or liver.
At what stage of kidney cancer is chemotherapy used?
Usually, chemotherapy is not the first-line treatment for kidney cancer. It may be used when other treatments like surgery or targeted therapies are ineffective. Chemotherapy can be considered for advanced or metastatic kidney cancer, but it is generally less effective compared to other options.
When is kidney cancer not treatable?
Kidney cancer may be considered not treatable when it has spread extensively (stage IV), does not respond to available therapies, or when the patient’s overall health prevents aggressive treatment.
Can you recover from stage 4 kidney cancer?
Stage 4 kidney cancer is often not curable, but recovery or prolonged survival is possible with treatments like targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or surgery to remove metastases. Some patients may live for several years, though the disease is typically harder to treat at this stage.
What is the latest treatment for kidney cancer?
The latest treatments for kidney cancer include immunotherapy and targeted therapies that focus on specific molecules involved in cancer cell growth. Combination therapies use both types of treatments and have shown promising results in managing advanced kidney cancer.
Is kidney cancer very curable?
Kidney cancer is highly treatable, especially in the early stages (stage I or II) where surgery can often remove the tumor entirely. However, it becomes more difficult to cure in advanced stages, though newer therapies have improved survival rates for patients with metastatic disease.