Pre-existing kidney impairment and chemo

JimsBrother
JimsBrother Member Posts: 94
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
Since I have been reading so much about cancer and chemo, etc, I got to wondering what would I do if I was faced with having to deal with a diagnosis of cancer somewhere between my head and toes. I have been diagnosed with mild type 2 diabetes, and most recently my doctor mentioned my kidneys were "spilling protien". Whether or not my situation will require any additional treatments at this point is yet to be decided. I return for more bloodwork in a few weeks to see what the status is with my kidney function.

While reading about cisplatin, it mentions kidney damage due to toxicity, and unless kidney function returns to an acceptable level, the chemotherapy should be suspended. So I guess my question is, has anyone with pre-existing kidney problems been forced to use other chemo drugs, and were they as effective as cisplatin? It's my understanding that all drugs are metabolized by the kidneys and or liver, so if you begin treatments with reduced kidney function, what are the limitations to your treatment options?

I have to blame my brother for making me read all this stuff. Since his diagnosis, I have discovered all these little pains almost everywhere. So far I have diagnosed myself with almost every disease there is, even my fingernails itch, yea, I know what you're thinking, how do you scratch your fingernails when they itch? I haven't figured that out myself. WebMD doesn't even list that in their list of symptoms. So I'm sure it is a very rare syndrome and I have it. That is just scratching the surface (a slight pun intended) of the dozens of symptoms I have discovered since my brothers diagnosis.

BTW, he is doing fairly well with the chemo. We are hoping he tolerates the chemo with as few side effects as possible. The IMRT radiation has just began so we have no conclusions just yet regarding his ability to tolerate that. I'm sure we will know more in the weeks to come.

Thank you all for your replies and prayers in recent weeks. It's a pleasure knowing you are here to give us the real answers that are so difficult to find elsewhere.

Sincerely,
Rob

Comments

  • slydog11
    slydog11 Member Posts: 40
    #2
    Kidney disease
    Hi Rob,

    I just finished my third round of Chemo. I also have chronic kidney disease. The only precautions they have for me is stressing plenty of hydration, 2 hours of hydation on the days of chemo, and steroids the night before, day of, and night of chemo. Cysplatin is one of my meds.

    Glad to see you're so active in your brother's condition. As a cancer patient I understand your hyper-sensitivity to new aches and pains. They can really spook you. Especially when you're an active blogger on this wonderful website.

    Take care Rob.

    Paul
  • sandy1943
    sandy1943 Member Posts: 824
    #3
    I also find myself
    I also find myself researching all aches and pains---mine and everyone elses. I have " old arthur" visiting my hip and neck. I know what it is---pre cancer problem, but my mind still wants to go there with questions. I'll be seeing an orthpedic dr. soon. I quit taking artheritis meds because of irritation to stomach and esophagus. so of course I'm going to hurt more, but need the dr, to confirm what I already know.
    Praying Jim continues doing well with the chemo and the radiation,
    Sandra
  • unclaw2002
    unclaw2002 Member Posts: 599
    #4
    Rob,
    My dad has controlled
    Rob,

    My dad has controlled diabeties (for many years) and the doctor's at Sloan declined to use cysplatin because of its toxic effects on the kidneys and instead used carboplatin. There are many combination of chemo drug cocktails, as I like to say, they have different side effects and depending on underlying medical conditions can make things much worse for a patient the cancer issues aside. Another side effect that many diabetics worry about is neuropathy and some of the chemo drugs also can cause that so if it is already a condition a patient is experiencing sometimes the doctors try to avoid those type of chemo drugs as well for diabetics.

    Chemo is already so toxic to the system a sensitivity to avoiding agents that will cause even greater harm to compromised parts of the patients body is important --- after all the goal is to kill the cancer not the patient :)

    Cindy

Discussion Boards