Kidney level dropped...anyone else had this?

[SassG]

My partner has stage 4 lung cancer, he has been having chemo and immunotherapy very three weeks since September but they had to stop The first week in January as his kidney blood levels were too low....so it needs to be at 50 to be safe. It was 48, then 59 the following day. We went back the next week to try again but his level was down to 47. The oncologist has never seen this before but the renal consultant tells him it will be the chemo causing the problem, so suggests we try again this weds and give him JUST immunotherapy if his bloods are ok. The ultrasounds has shown his kidneys and bladder are totally fine on Friday.

Has anyone else had this and also how effective can immunotherapy be on its own?

[Elt79]

I’ve never had this problem, but am Stage IV NSCLC with brain and adrenal mets - had steriotatic radiosurgery to brain November 18 and started Pembrolizumab as first line treatments following week. Had great results so far - adrenal tumour NED and lung tumour reduced by 2/3. Best of luck x

[foodbankcupar]

Yes had immunotherapy for two years after chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Very glad to say currently in remission.

Best wishes to you.

Kevin

[Fifi24]

Hi,

Depending on your combination of chemo, can affect kidney function, if you are on carboplatin this can affect the kidney, however if switched to cisplatin it’s kinder to the kidneys, it does not really have an impact...

but do agree with renal drs chemo does have impact on kidneys.

Hope this helps.

Please ensure good amounts of water or squash are consumed to keep kidneys hydrated.... dehydration can reduce the kidney function.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi SassG,

I have attached a link to our Roy castle Website which explains how immunotherapies work

roycastle.org/about-lung-ca...

Kind regards,

All the team at the Roy Castle Helpline

[Denzie]

Chemotherapy is known to cause damage to the kidneys. That is one of the reasons they run a full blood panel prior to beginning each round of treatment instead of just checking platelet count.

Immunotherapy monotherapy works very well for many, it was learned in clinical trials that combining it with chemo extended life a few more months than chemo or immunotherapy alone.

And a note here that it’s the carboplatin that is easier on the system than cisplatin.