According to the American Cancer Society, in 2009 approximately 57,760 new cases of kidney cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. This includes both renal cell carcinoma and transitional cell carcinomas of the renal pelvis. Treatment typically depends on the stage of the cancer, which describes the extent and spread of the disease, and may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy or a combination of these modalities.
Targeted Therapy Side Effects
Although targeted therapies still affect healthy cells, they have a more focused way of attacking cancer cells, depending on the drug being used. Drugs in this category used for kidney cancer include sorafenib (Nexavar), sunitinib (Sutent), bevacizumab (Avastin) and temsirolimus (Torisel). Possible side effects include fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, changes in blood pressure and hand-foot syndrome (pain or blisters on the palms of the hand or soles of the feet).
Immunotherapy/Biologic Therapy
Immunotherapy seeks to boost the body's immune system to aid its effectiveness in killing cancer cells. Side effects of immunotherapy can be serious, and this kind of treatment is typically used in people whose cancer does not respond to targeted therapies, according to the American Cancer Society. The main immunotherapeutic drugs used in treating kidney cancer are interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-alpha. Side effects of these drugs may include fluid accumulating in the lungs, extreme fatigue, intestinal bleeding, heart attacks, kidney damage, high fever and chills, rapid heartbeat and mental changes. Because of the severity of the possible side effects, this kind of therapy is only used in individuals who are in good overall health.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves using anti-cancer medications either intravenously or orally to help kill cancer cells. The drugs go through your bloodstream and are able to have an effect throughout the body, which can be helpful if cancer has spread from its original location. Kidney cancer has been shown to be resistant to chemotherapy, so there is no standard treatment regimen, according to the American Cancer Society. Some drugs are used to treat the disease, including vinblastine, 5-FU, capecitabine and gemcitabine and are most commonly used if a patient is not being helped by targeted therapies or immunotherapy. Side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs include hair loss, mouth sores, nausea and vomiting, fatigue and increased risk of infections.
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