Back to Previous Page

Coping With Kidney and Bladder Changes Due to Chemotherapy

Some anticancer drugs can irritate the bladder or cause temporary or permanent damage to the bladder or kidneys. Some anticancer drugs cause the urine to change color (orange, red, green, or yellow) or take on a strong or medicine-like odor. Check with your doctor to see if the drugs you are taking may have any of these effects. Your doctor or nurse will take a urine and blood samples to check how well your bladder and kidneys are working.
Always drink plenty of fluids to ensure good urine flow and help prevent problems. This is very important if you are taking drugs that affect the kidney and bladder. Water, juice, broth, ice cream, soup, popsicles, and gelatin are all considered fluids. However, you will want to avoid drinks that contain caffeine, like coffee, tea, and soda.

Watch for These Symptoms

Symptoms related to your kidneys and bladder that can develop as a side effect of chemotherapy include:
  • Pain or burning when you urinate or after you empty your bladder
  • Frequent, urgent urination
  • Not being able to urinate
  • Incontinence
  • Reddish or bloody urine
  • Fever
  • Chills, especially shaking chills
  • Urine that is orange, red, green, or dark yellow or has a strong medicine odor

RESOURCES

American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org

National Cancer Institute http://www.cancer.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES

BC Cancer Agency http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/default.htm

Canadian Cancer Society http://www.cancer.ca

References

National Cancer Institute. Chemotherapy and you: support for people with cancer. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping/chemotherapy-and-you.pdf . Updated May 2007. Accessed May 14, 2012.

Urination changes. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping/chemo-side-effects/urination. Accessed May 14, 2012.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Copyright © EBSCO Publishing
All rights reserved.