What to know about side effects of renal cell carcinoma treatment

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For renal cell carcinoma stages 1-3, experts recommend partial or radical (total) surgical removal of the kidney, or nephrectomy, along with removal of the tumor itself.

Surgeons typically use keyhole surgery, or laparoscopy, to perform a nephrectomy.

Partial nephrectomy

According to a small 2016 study of 68 people who underwent a laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, 12 people experienced one or more complications due to the procedure. This represents 17.64% of the total number of people involved in the study. The complications included:

• fever lasting for more than 1 day
• bleeding
• urine leaks
• prolonged ileus, which refers to slow intestinal movement
• lower respiratory tract infection

Radical nephrectomy

An older study from 2013 looked at 558 people who underwent open radical nephrectomy, which is a less common and more invasive procedure than laparoscopic radical nephrectomy.

Some of the complications that people in the study experienced were:

• gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea and ileus
• bleeding
• infections
• neurological problems, such as vertigo and seizures
• heart-related issues, such as hypotension (low blood pressure) and angina
• lung conditions, such as pneumonia and pneumothorax
• blood clots
• skin rashes
• genitourinary issues, including urinary retention and kidney failure
• acidosis

Overall risks

Both types of nephrectomy carry some risks, including:

• infections
• bleeding
• blood clots
• allergic reaction to anesthesia
• incisional hernia
• urine leakage into the abdomen
• organ damage
• pneumothorax
• kidney failure

Radiation is a common form of therapy for several different cancers, including renal cell carcinoma. It uses high energy rays or particles to destroy cancer cells. It may be a good choice for people who have only one kidney or are not able to have surgery for health reasons.

Some common side effects include:

• a sunburn-like rash where the radiation enters the skin
• hair loss at the radiation site
• diarrhea
• fatigue
• nausea

Healthcare professionals may use immunotherapy in later stages of renal cell carcinoma. It helps a person’s immune system target and attack cancer cells, which helps shrink or destroy tumors.

There are several types of immunotherapy for a doctor to choose from when recommending treatment. A person should let their doctor know if they experience side effects, as another immunotherapy option might be available that may not cause side effects for the person.

Side effects vary depending on the type of immunotherapy a person receives. However, side effects may include:

• fatigue
• rash
• gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea and abdominal pain
• itchy skin
• flu-like symptoms, such as body aches, chills, and fever
• heart-related issues, such as hypotension, rapid heart rate, or heart attack
• changes in mental state, such as confusion

A doctor may recommend targeted therapy for stage 4 renal cell carcinoma treatment. Targeted therapy uses large molecule or small molecule drugs to destroy specific substances within cancer cells or weaken enzymes and proteins on the outside of these cells.

As with all kidney cancer treatments, targeted therapy may cause some side effects. Not everyone experiences side effects, and the severity of any side effects can vary among individuals.

Some potential side effects include:

• skin issues, such as rashes, dry skin, and photosensitivity
• changes in hair growth and texture, such as hair thinning
• high blood pressure
• autoimmune reactions, in which the immune system attacks healthy cells by mistake
• slow-healing wounds
• swelling
• gastrointestinal issues
• clotting or bleeding issues
• fatigue
• headaches
• damage to the heart and other organs
• increased risk of infection
• mouth sores

Chemotherapy uses medications to kill or destroy cancer cells. People may take these medications orally or receive them as an intravenous infusion.

It is not a standard treatment for renal cell carcinoma because the cancer cells do not typically respond well to it.

Chemotherapy side effects vary depending on the medication, dosage, and length of treatment, but they may include:

• mouth sores
• nausea
• hair loss
• vomiting
• constipation
• loss of appetite
• diarrhea
• fatigue
• increased risk of infection
• easily bleeding or bruising

People with renal cell carcinoma should speak with a healthcare professional about their treatment options and any potential side effects they may experience.

If a person is concerned about any of the side effects they are experiencing, they should speak with their doctor, who may be able to recommend an alternative treatment or ways to manage the side effects.

Renal cell carcinoma treatments can be safe and effective. However, they may also cause side effects that range from mild to potentially life threatening in severity.

Some people may not experience any side effects from renal cell carcinoma treatment. However, a person should speak with a doctor if they experience unpleasant or potentially serious side effects. In some cases, they may be able to switch treatments.