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Can Mesothelioma Cause Kidney Failure?
Mesothelioma is an especially rare and aggressive type of cancer, caused almost exclusively by exposure to asbestos. Most often, mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs. However, it can sometimes develop in other areas of the body, such as the lining of the stomach. In rare cases, mesothelioma can form in other areas, such as the ovaries.
As mesothelioma progresses through its stages, it can metastasize to other parts of the body. During stage IV mesothelioma, the cancer can spread to distant organs, such as the kidneys.[1] If mesothelioma metastasizes to the kidneys, it can cause renal failure. This can cause blood in the urine, back pain, anemia, and more.[2] However, outside of metastasized tumors, mesothelioma is not directly associated with causing kidney failure.
However, in certain cases, renal failure can indicate mesothelioma. Reduced kidney function can cause an elevated count of soluble mesothelin. Higher concentrations of soluble mesothelin can be a marker for malignant mesothelioma.[3] Renal function also significantly influences the concentration of other markers of mesothelioma, such as N-ERC/mesothelin and osteopontin.[4]
Similar to mesothelioma metastasized to the kidneys is mesothelioma spreading to the adrenal glands. Adrenal glands are located on the top of the kidneys. When adrenal glands are affected by mesothelioma, the patient may experience back or abdominal discomfort. In some cases, metastases to the adrenal gland may lead to symptoms similar to Addison’s disease, such as low blood pressure, low blood sugar, high potassium levels, weakness, and darkening of the skin.[5]
Acute renal failure can also be caused by chemotherapy and other treatments used to treat mesothelioma. Drugs used for treatment can cause damage to the blood vessels and/or structures of the kidneys.[6] For the most part, acute renal failure will reverse itself once treatment causing the failure is complete. However, there are some cases in which renal failure is permanent.
When renal failure occurs, it can be treated in a variety of ways. Depending on what medicines are currently being used to treat mesothelioma, a patient’s doctor may prescribe diuretics, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, and/or other drugs to manage symptoms. They may also prescribe diet modifications or, in some cases, dialysis to remove waste from the blood.
[1] https://www.cancer.org/cancer/malignant-mesothelioma/detection-diagnosis-staging/staging.html
[2] https://www.cancer.org/cancer/kidney-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-and-symptoms.html
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21333373
[4]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21508397
[5] http://endocrinediseases.org/adrenal/metastases_symptoms.shtml
[6] http://cancer.unm.edu/cancer/cancer-info/cancer-treatment/side-effects-of-cancer-treatment/less-common-side-effects/organ-problems/kidney-damage-acute-renal-failure/
