How Does Cancer Affect the Kidneys?

Cancer affects 9.6% of the population of the United States. It is the number 2 killer in this country, behind only heart disease. It comes in as many forms and there are body parts. It can strike any one at any time. When we hear a new diagnosis in a friend or family member, we usually ask which cancer the person has without thinking about the effect said cancer can have on the rest of the body. A diagnosis of breast cancer or pancreatic cancer should only affect those body parts, right? Unfortunately, that is not the case. No matter the form of cancer a person has, its effects and the effects of treatment can be quite harmful to other organs. In this article we will focus on the effect of cancer on the kidneys.

With an increase in the number of cancer patients and cancer survivors, cancer-related and treatment-related kidney disease is also on the rise. Cancer itself can directly cause kidney injury due to the production of substances that are toxic to the kidneys. Patients undergoing treatment can also suffer kidney injuries as a side effect of cancer medications and other treatments. Additionally, patients with existing kidney diseases have limited options when it comes to treating their cancer due to their decreased renal function.

When we look at all of the functions the kidneys perform for our body, we should not be surprised to find out that cancer in any form can be dangerous to them. Cancer can raise blood pressure, disrupt balances of magnesium, potassium, and electrolytes in the body, and otherwise injure the kidneys and cause kidney disease. That is why patients diagnosed with cancer should undergo regular kidney tests to determine if there are any problems before those problems become more serious.

Signs of Kidney Disease
in Cancer Patients:
• Blood in the urine
• High blood pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Swollen ankles, feet, hands
• Changes in urine quantity
• Dark urine
• Itchy skin
• Excessive fatigue
• Confusion
• Seizures

A patient experiencing any of these symptoms should communicate them to his/her oncologist immediately. Sometimes simple lifestyle changes (drinking more water, for example) can be all of the treatment that is needed. In other cases, medications may be necessary.

Cancer treatment’s effect on the kidneys
Kidney problems can arise during cancer treatment for a number of reasons. One common problem is dehydration. Chemotherapy can cause a patient to feel too nauseous to consume sufficient food or water thus causing the patient to become dehydrated. Another problem can arise from the fact that the kidneys are processing extra waste from the cancer. The kidneys must put in overtime to filter the byproducts from the cancer and its medications. This can leave the patient with decreased kidney function. Finally, the medications used to kill the cancerous cells in the body and directly hurt the kidneys. A change in medications may be necessary.

Treatment for kidney damage
Thankfully, most kidney damage is reversible if it is carefully managed. Once the medication that is causing the damage has been stopped, treatment is directed towards preventing an excessive accumulation of fluids and wastes while the kidneys heal. This is accomplished through the use of diuretics, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, changes in diet, dialysis, or medication.

Diuretics may be prescribed in order to increase the amount of water the body excretes in the urine.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is a medication that lowers the potassium in the blood.

Diet modification may be necessary. Restricting substances such foods high in proteins, salt, and potassium may be a good idea since these are normally excreted by the kidneys.

Dialysis uses a machine to perform the functions of the kidneys. The patient’s blood is routed through a machine which filters out excess waste and fluid before putting the blood back into the body. This is especially important for patients with high levels of potassium in the blood.

Medications such as amifostine, sodium thiosulfate, and diethyldithiocarbamate may prevent or reduce kidney toxicity of other medications.

Kidney disease if often difficult to detect when a patient is dealing with cancer. Its symptoms can be mistaken for side effects of the cancer treatment. This is why it is important for those diagnosed with cancer to see a kidney specialist.

If you or someone you love is going through cancer and in need of a kidney specialist, contact Sunshine Kidney Care in The Villages today.

They are located at 1400 N US Hwy 441, Suite 522. Call 352.388.5800.