Kidney Cancer
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs found below the rib cage on each side of the spine. Kidney cancer occurs when cancer cells grow in the kidneys. The most common kidney cancer is called renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
Radiation Therapy and Kidney Cancer
The best person to talk to about radiation therapy for kidney cancer is a radiation oncologist. A radiation oncologist is a specialist doctor who is part of the team that takes care of people having radiation therapy.
You can ask your doctor for a referral to a radiation oncologist to learn if radiation therapy is an option for you.
The Treatment Team
Doctors make a treatment plan for each person based on the:
- type of cancer
- where the cancer is
- what other treatments have been tried
- person’s health.
Treatment for kidney cancer can include radiation therapy, surgery, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a mix of these.
The type of treatment a person gets is worked out by a team of doctors and health professionals often called a Multidisciplinary Team.
A highly trained radiation oncology team takes care of people having radiation therapy. This includes radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, medical physicists and radiation oncology nurses.
Treatments for Kidney Cancer
Treatment for kidney cancer can include radiation therapy, surgery, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a mix of these.
Types of Radiation Therapy Used for Kidney Cancer
External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) is the most common type of radiation therapy treatment used for kidney cancer.
The treatment team use a machine called a linear accelerator to do external beam radiation therapy from outside the body.
Radiation oncologists often use Volumetric Arc Therapy (VMAT), an advanced type of external beam radiation therapy, to carefully deliver radiation to the areas that need to be treated.
Radiation therapy is often used for people who can’t have surgery. It can also relieve symptoms such as pain and bleeding.
Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) is an exciting new treatment for people with early kidney cancer who can’t have an operation, or for those who don’t want one.
SABR is a targeted form of external beam radiation therapy. It gives high doses of radiation to the cancer while protecting healthy body parts. SABR is painless and no surgery is needed. It is very safe and effective.
People usually get 1-5 treatments.
SABR can cure early-stage kidney cancer and is helpful for people who can’t have surgery.
In the interview below Professor Shankar Siva explains how SABR works.
Targeting Cancer committee co-chair Dr Lucinda Morris interviews Prof. Shankar Siva on SABR
General Information About Side Effects of Radiation Therapy
Before starting treatment, your radiation oncologist will talk to you about side effects and answer your questions.
Radiation therapy is more effective with fewer side effects than ever before.
Recent advances mean radiation oncologists can effectively treat the cancer while getting less radiation on healthy body parts. This means much fewer side effects.
Side effects from radiation therapy vary between people, even for those having the same treatment.
While some people feel no side effects, some feel mild side effects, such as tiredness or skin redness during and/or just after treatment. These usually get better within a few weeks.
The treatment team will offer advice and medicine to help with side effects.
Serious side effects that start later (months to years after the radiation therapy) are rare.
Before starting treatment, your radiation oncologist will talk to you about side effects and answer your questions.
The side effects of radiation treatment can be split into 2 groups:
- Early side effects which occur during and shortly after radiation treatment.
- Late side effects which can occur months to years after radiation treatment.
For more information, go to the Potential Side Effects page.
Early Side Effects of Radiation Therapy for Kidney Cancer
Early side effects which occur during and shortly after radiation treatment.
Early side effects of radiation therapy may include:
Tiredness: People often feel more tired during and after treatment.
Other side effects of radiation treatment may come from body parts close to where the radiation is targeted.
Feeling unwell and vomiting: Some people feel sick in their stomach or vomit. This is common if the radiation is near the tummy or intestines.
Diarrhoea: Radiation can cause loose or watery poo.
Late Side Effects of Radiation Therapy for Kidney Cancer
Late side effects vary between people and can happen a few months to a few years after radiation treatment.
These side effects may never occur, occur once, continue over time, or come and go.
Ulcers and bleeding: Although it is very rare, radiation to close body parts, such as the tummy or intestines can cause ulcers and bowel changes.
Kidney damage: Radiation therapy can change how the kidneys work. Over time this can cause problems such as poor kidney function or kidney disease.
Second cancer: There is an extremely small risk of developing secondary cancers later in life.
Other Useful Resources for Kidney Cancer
Find additional information about cancer types, research groups, and support groups.
Radiation Oncologist
The best person to talk to is a radiation oncologist. You can ask your doctor for a referral to find out if radiation treatment is right for you.
GPs and Health Professionals
Information for any health professional involved in a patient's cancer care with a particular focus on primary care providers.
Talking to Your Doctor
Your GP or other doctors in the cancer team can organise a referral to a radiation oncologist.
Treatment Centres
Search and find your closest Radiation Oncology Treatment Centre.
