The body is full of waste that is produced from the breakdown of tissues and foods. This waste is filtered and expelled from the body by the kidneys in order to keep the body healthy and functioning properly. Waste is also a byproduct of the breakdown of medications such as chemotherapy drugs. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells, and these drugs produce byproducts that can cause damage to the kidneys.
Kidney Function
According to the National Kidney and Urologic Disease Information Clearinghouse (http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/Kudiseases/pubs/yourkidneys/), kidneys are responsible for processing more than 200 quarts of blood per day. The kidneys remove the waste from the blood and combine it with extra water to produce urine, which is excreted from the body. If the kidneys become damaged, waste can build up in the blood causing illness and disease.
Chemotherapy Drugs
Some chemotherapy drugs used for various types of cancer treatments are more toxic to healthy parts of the body than others. The drugs that are more likely cause damage to the kidneys are cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, high-dose methotrexate, ifosfamide and streptozocin. If you have a history of kidney problems prior to chemotherapy treatments, discuss this with your doctor, as this will increase your risk of kidney damage from the treatment.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs of kidney damage due to chemotherapy can be as subtle as headaches, fatigue, weakness, nausea and vomiting. Unfortunately, these are also side effects of the chemotherapy itself, making it difficult to determine that kidney problems may be involved. Other symptoms can include decrease in the amount of urine, change in color of your urine, pain in the lower back and increased blood pressure. Keep your doctor informed of all side effects you may be experiencing.
Testing
To track the effects of chemotherapy on the body, including on the kidney, your doctor will regularly perform blood tests. There are several factors in the blood that are used to indicate the kidney function, including creatinine, a waste product from the muscles; and urea, a molecule produced in the liver from the breakdown of food.
Other molecules filtered through the kidneys that can be checked by blood tests include sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphate. The Renal Unit of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (http://renux.dmed.ed.ac.uk/EdREN/EdRenINFObits/kidneytests.html) provides details on these tests as well as blood test normal levels.
Protect Your Kidneys
There are several things you and your doctor can do to decrease the effects of the chemotherapy on your kidneys. The most important is to drink plenty of fluids, especially just before a chemotherapy treatment. This not only helps to keep your kidneys functioning regularly, but also keeps you hydrated, which is important to combat other side effects of chemotherapy. If you are not able to drink enough fluids, your doctor may administer an IV drip of fluids before your chemotherapy treatment. There are also medicines available to help protect your kidneys and keep them functioning throughout your treatment.
Tags: your doctor, effects chemotherapy, side effects, blood tests, body kidneys