Secondary liver cancer just diagnosed. Has anyone had experience of secondary cancer and chemo to extend life. BUT I have stage 4 polycystic kidney disease and it is risky and it could trash my kidneys. Anyone experienced a similar scenario? Thanks Martyn
Hi McTee
Thanks for getting in touch.
My name is Paula and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.
I can see you’ve joined the oesophageal cancer forum. I hope you’re finding it helpful sharing your experiences with others.
Here at the Macmillan, we can give general advice and support. We are independent from the NHS and don’t have access to medical records so can’t give personalised information.
I am sorry to hear of your secondary liver diagnosis. Its never easy getting difficult news and worrying about treatment decisions and the impact it may have on other health conditions. I can understand the current concerns you have.
Chemotherapy brings many side effects which can be troublesome to your kidney function. As your kidneys break down and remove chemotherapy drugs from the body. The damage it may cause to the kidneys depends on the drug dose given, if a combination of drugs are used or you already have existing kidney disease.
Before any treatment is given your team will do an EDTA/eGFR blood test to assess your kidney function. The test will involve a small amount of radioactivity material, being injected into the vein. This acts as a tracer to show how well your kidneys are functioning. You may find this NHS leaflet helpful to look at.
Kidney problems with cancer treatment can also affect people with a healthy kidney function. However, any problems that might occur can be managed before and after treatment by your oncologist and specialist input from a urology team.
It’s worth speaking to your hospital team or cancer nurse specialist about your concerns. They are in an ideal position to explain the risk and benefits of your cancer treatment and advise you about your polycystic kidney disease. Your team will also do a risk assessment for renal impairment before administering any chemotherapy.
You may find further support and patients experience of chemotherapy with kidney disease on the Kidney Research UK and the Oesophageal and Gastric Cancer Charity (OPA). The latter offers medical support. It might be worth contacting them with the concerns you. Polycystic Disease Charity (PKD) also offers support.
You can also talk to one of our nurses on the support line. Sometimes giving us a call can help. It’s a free phone number on 0808 808 0000 and we are here 7 days a week, 8am-8pm or email us.
I hope this information has been helpful, please don’t hesitate to get back in touch.
Ref: PW/KG
