Maintenance chemo stopped

[Goingcuckoo]

Because my husbands kidney test has come back too low (40), to continue his maintenence Pemetrexed or any other chemo, he has been told that he will now be monitored with three monthly CT scans to check his NSCLC is continuing to be stable. Has anyone else had this, or had the chemo restarted if the cancer grows and the kidneys recover.? Thank you

[SassG]

Hi, my partner had kidney test 47/48 it’s now at 52 so they restarted the immunotherapy after 8 weeks but say he won’t get any more chemo. We were told if there is a pause of 12 weeks you become ineligible to continue with treatment. He had an ultrasound which showed his kidneys and bladder are fine and he has been good Since treatment last weds. Next ct scan on 21st which is 3 monthly.. the oncologist says immunotherapy on its own should do really as much as is possible so we will see.

[Goingcuckoo in reply to SassG]

Thank you for your reply SassG. We're hoping all stays stable. He's got another CT scan in April. We're hoping his kidney function improves with time as well.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear Goingcuckoo

Sorry to hear of your husbands chemotherapy has been stopped due to his low values of his kidney function. This can be one of the main causes why chemotherapy will be stopped. It is routine to have follow up scans of his lungs to assess things.

It may be unlikely that he will be recommenced on the chemotherapy if this is the effect it has had on his kidneys, but may be worthwhile discussing this with the lung cancer nurse or specialist what his options will be.

Hope his health improves and if you wish to discuss anything you can either email us at [e-mail] or call our freephone nurse led helpline number on 08003 358 7200

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team