How would chemo and or radiation affect ckd?

[newbie56]

Just can't help wondering because so many things are toxic to low functioning kidneys. Any thoughts?

[Bassetmommer]

Hi Newbie,

Think of your kidneys as the body's filter system. When it is working 100% everything it is supposed to filter, does and leaves the body (urine). When you have CKD, the lower the function, GFR, the lower the ability of the kidney to filter correctly. Certain things such as drugs (ibuprofen for example) affect the filtering even more. Certain foods such as protein are harder to eliminate and end up in our urine. As the kidney loses its ability to filter the blood, the remaining filters start to get over taxed and they break down which is why CKD is progressive. Here are some articles specifically about chemo and radiation:

oncolink.org/frequently-ask...

cancerresearchuk.org/about-...

[orangecity41 in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thanks for good explanation.

[newbie56 in reply to Bassetmommer]

That's quite a bit of info on a delicate condition.

Many, no doubt have endured such treatments.

Thank you, Bassetmommer.

[RickHow]

I have had this discussion as recently as the past week and over the past 3 months. I am stage 3b (sometimes results are 3a). I have kidney cancer that has spread to the bones. Stage 4. And my time is limited. I already went radiation two times. There were absolutely no precautions required dude to CKD to receive the radiation. It was on my spine and pelvis and did not involve the kidney. As far as chemo. There are so many types of cancer, and types of chemo, there is no simple explanation. My oncologist is quite aware of my CKD and with each drug and treatment we discuss if any effect on CKD. Something as simple as taking ibuprofen to lessen bone pain. As my oncologist, radiologist, urologist all tell me "take the ibuprofen". I take it only at bedtime to sleep well. It takes a significant amount of time for that limited an intake of NSAID to have any significant affect on the kidney. So much depends on your CKD stage and of course the cancer itself. You have to sit in the doctors office and ask yourself the basic question. What is more important? To try to save my life with whatever is available, or to refuse a recommended treatment, to save the effect on your kidney. As my doctor tells me. You first need to be alive, so that we can address the CKD. But to pass on with the perfect kidney will bring you no reward. Again, I am 3a. So if something like chemo (radiation no effect) is going to drop me to 3b or worse, it will NOT be instantaneous. In my guess, because of the cancer, the end is certain. Yet I try to maintain common sense about NSAIDS, etc. (I take ibuprofen every night). For kidney cancer that has spread to the bones, there is NO chemo. There is only immunotherapy (pills, ketruda). This on average extends your life about 18 to 24 months. Ibuprofen is not going to move my kidney to stage 4 or 5 in that time period.

[newbie56 in reply to RickHow]

Wonderful to hear from you, Rick. Amazing attitude, honestly inspiring.

Your reasoning is flawless in my opinion.

Can't help believing you have wisely opted for quality of life. We all should.

PS

New options may be just around the corner.