- Specialized expertise in treating kidney conditions caused by cancer treatment. Go to Conditions Treated
- Innovative treatment options that can prevent or minimize kidney damage during cancer treatment. Go to Treatments
- Pioneering clinical trials that give eligible patients access to promising therapies available only at Stanford Health Care. Go to Clinical Trials
- A medical team with advanced training in caring for cancer-related kidney conditions and optimizing your well-being. Go to Your Care Team
- Ease of access with coordinated scheduling so you can combine treatments or see multiple specialists in one trip. Go to Connecting to Care
Kidney damage is one of many side effects of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy medications used in cancer treatment. And if you have an existing kidney condition, your cancer treatment options may be limited due to the potential impact on your kidneys. If you are receiving a bone marrow transplant, or treatment for blood cancer or disorder, your doctor may refer you to a nephrologist to address changes in your kidney function.
Stanford Health Care’s supportive care specialists provide advanced care for treatment-associated kidney diseases, including the effects on kidneys from medications such as:
- CDK 4/6 inhibitors, ALK inhibitors, and other tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which can affect common laboratory test results that assess kidney function
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab or nivolimab, which can cause inflammation in the kidneys
- VEGF inhibitors like bevacizumab or sunitinib, which can result in protein in the urine
An episode of kidney failure that occurs suddenly—usually within a few hours or days. The rapid buildup of waste products in your blood can be life-threatening. Some chemotherapies can affect your kidneys and a nephrologist can help manage these complications.
Also called diabetic nephropathy, this kidney disease is caused by diabetes. Diabetic kidney disease is the number one cause of kidney failure. About a third of people with diabetes develop it.
A disorder that causes an imbalance of minerals in the body, which can potentially damage vital body systems, such as the muscles and brain.
A type of kidney disease that affects the glomeruli, very small parts of the kidneys that filter blood.
Also called high blood pressure, a condition where there is elevated pressure inside the arteries. Over time, hypertension can damage organs, including the kidneys, and lead to heart failure, heart attack, aneurysm, or stroke.
A condition with a wide range of causes in which the kidneys are damaged and unable to fully remove waste and excess fluid from the body. Kidney disease can progress to kidney failure when it is not treated.
An inflammation of the kidney caused by systemic lupus erythematosus, a disease of the immune system.
Blood vessel damage can impair the kidneys’ filtering abilities and lead to too much protein in the urine.
Also called renal failure, this occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste products from the blood.
Our nephrologists have expertise in understanding how cancer treatments can affect the kidneys. They consult with oncologists to recommend:
- Cancer therapies or doses that are not as damaging to the kidneys
- Medications you can take during cancer treatment that can prevent or limit kidney damage
- Monitoring strategies to identify changes in kidney function early
In some cases, patients pause or stop cancer treatment to preserve kidney function. Others continue cancer treatment and opt to treat resulting kidney conditions. Our supportive kidney care specialists coordinate with your oncology team to consider all your options and weigh the risks and benefits of each.
Treatments for kidney disease range from medications to kidney transplant. If you need treatment, you will receive a personalized plan that considers your needs and goals and helps you live your healthiest life.
Your doctor may add a medication to your cancer treatment regimen to prevent or reduce kidney damage. The types of medications depend on how cancer treatment affects your kidneys.
Your doctor may also prescribe medications to treat kidney-related conditions, such as hypertension.
Dialysis is a treatment that removes waste and fluid from your blood. There are two types of dialysis:
- Hemodialysis: A machine removes your blood through a tube connected to a blood vessel, filters it, then returns the blood back to your body.
- Peritoneal dialysis: Blood is filtered through the membrane that lines your abdomen (peritoneum). Fluid enters the space inside the peritoneum with or without the help of a machine. The fluid absorbs waste from your blood and is then removed or drains out.
You may start dialysis if you have kidney failure. Doctors also use dialysis during some cancer treatments to limit their kidney-damaging effects.
A kidney transplant is a surgery that replaces a kidney that no longer functions with a healthy kidney from another person, either living or deceased.
Your wellness plays a role in the success of your treatment. We offer our Circle of Care to assist you and your family throughout your cancer journey. Whether it's spiritual counseling, a new wig, or help with your finances, we’re here for you whenever you need us.
Innovation Through Clinical Research
Some of Silicon Valley’s brightest scientific minds are at the Stanford Cancer Institute and the Stanford Medicine Cancer Center. Medical discoveries and clinical advances happen here. Our physicians and scientists work every day to improve cancer prevention, detection, and care. We offer advanced diagnostics, the latest treatment technologies and techniques, and pioneering therapies in development through clinical trials. Let us put innovation to work for you.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.
Open trials refer to studies currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but similar studies may open in the future.
A cancer diagnosis affects more than your physical well-being. It can disrupt your family life, work, social relationships, and your very sense of security. Our signature Circle of Care approach is here to guide you and your caregivers. We listen carefully to understand your unique situation and then we bring together experts including doctors, specialists, nurses, and care coordinators to create a plan just for you. With a team on your side and a wide range of support services, you receive a complete, coordinated experience. Learn what to expect and see how we put you at the center of care.
Our doctors work together to continually advance our approach to diagnosis and treatment, striving to improve your care experience. At weekly review meetings, experts from multiple specialties review cases that require more complex recommendations.
Your extended care team embodies the same cooperative spirit to support all your physical, emotional, and daily living needs. We aim to maximize your treatment success, while minimizing the impact kidney disease and cancer can have on your life.
Your Doctors
Nephrologist
Nephrologists have expertise in diagnosing, treating, and managing kidney conditions and diseases, including those that occur due to cancer treatment.
View All {0} Nephrologists »Advanced Practice Provider
Advanced practice providers (APPs) include nurse practitioners and physician assistants. These skilled providers specialize in diagnosing and treating kidney diseases. They see patients independently and occasionally alongside your doctor. APPs can give you a complete exam, write prescriptions, and help prevent or treat any issues. Our APPs meet weekly to discuss patient needs.
View All {0} Advanced Practice Provider Doctors »Extended Care Team
Nurses and Nurse Coordinators
Nurses and nurse coordinators are registered nurses (RNs) who organize your supportive kidney care with your nephrology and oncology teams. They guide you from your first contact with our clinic through follow-up care. RNs can also assist you in finding counseling, financial help, and other support services.
Care Coordinators
Care coordinators provide you with information and assistance before and during your appointment.
- Medical Assistant: Medical assistants work with our team to help provide care. They may prepare you for an examination, assist your doctor, or take your vital signs before your appointment.
- Patient Care Coordinator: Our patient care coordinators help you with scheduling appointments and accessing your lab results. They are your first line of contact before you see your provider and will guide you during your supportive kidney care.
- Patient Access Representative: Patient access representatives can answer your questions about health insurance coverage, help you apply for health insurance, and refer you to our financial counselors.
Research Coordinators
Research coordinators help find candidates for possible participation in clinical research trials. Investigators at Stanford Health Care’s Kidney Disease and Hypertension Program work to better understand, diagnose, and treat kidney disease through clinical trials.
Cancer Care Services
Your cancer care includes services that focus on easing the effects that cancer and its treatment may have on you. Our support programs are available to you throughout your diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. Contact our Cancer Care Services for your personalized support plan.
We strive to make access to care as simple as possible. We have a network of convenient locations across the Bay Area and a wide range of support services. User-friendly virtual health tools and video appointments help you stay connected with your care team from home. We accept most insurance plans and offer discounted transportation, short-stay options, and international travel and translation services. We make it easy for you to get the care you deserve. Our team guides you through each step, so you can make decisions that are right for you.
Supportive kidney care is accessible and convenient at Stanford Health Care. Our scheduling staff can help coordinate your appointments. If needed, we’ll make sure you can see multiple providers during a single trip.
For Referring Physicians
PHYSICIAN HELPLINE
Fax: 650-320-9443
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Stanford Health Care provides comprehensive services to refer and track patients, as well as the latest information and news for physicians and office staff. For help with all referral needs and questions, visit Referral Information.
You may also submit a web referral or complete a referral form and fax it to 650-320-9443 or email the Referral Center at ReferralCenter@stanfordhealthcare.org.
Cancer Supportive Kidney Care