Can chemotherapy have adverse effects on the kidneys?

Question

Hello doctor,

I was detected with adenocarcinoma a few months back after which I took chemotherapy sessions. But now, I am facing the side effects of chemotherapy. My mouth is filled with blisters and my fingertips have become numb. My serum creatinine level is also very high. I am worried about my kidneys.

Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I went through your query.

In chemotherapy, there are drugs like Cisplatin (anticancer) which may affect kidney functions due to tubular necrosis.

Capgard (Capecitabine) does not itself cause kidney injury but it is contraindicated in kidney injury.

Your numbness in your fingers is again due to the Cisplatin drug.

To correctly identify the cause of renal injury, a renal biopsy is needed. But creatinine is not very high, its pattern can be observed for the next few weeks.

I suggest you do the urine routine test. Hydration is to be maintained and avoidance of kidney toxic drugs is to be done so as to prevent damage to the kidneys. USG (ultrasonography) kidneys to be done to look for acute changes in kidneys.

Hope this helps.

Thanks and regards.