Immunotherapy

Hello I was diagnosed with kidney cancer had my kidney removed in September 23 I'm now having imumotherpy has I was told high risk of cancer returning a grade 3 my oncologist told me my choice about immunotherapy and I agreed to have it as I don't want the cancer to return I've had 3 courses of immuneotherapy and then was rushed into hospital with low blood pressure told me it's my cortisols are low don't think my body producing its own so I've been put on hydrocortisone tablets and told I could be on them rest of life it could be Addison disease I'm very confused and very concerned I don't seem to be getting any advice from anywhere about do I carry on with the imumotherpy treatment or not because they telling me Addison disease is life threatening my last scan was in march and I was clear of cancer on that scan I don't have any support really and I'm finding this so hard thanks!

  • Hello Elaine65 and thanks for the post

    I am sorry to hear about your situation, this must be a difficult time for you.

    Whilst rare it is unfortunately  possible for immunotherapy treatment to sometimes cause a severe drop in cortisol levels, which as you know can be a serious complication, which in some cases will be irreversible.

    Decisions to continue with treatment when complications arise will be different for every patient depending on the severity of the side effect and the patients circumstances. It really is only your own specialist team who can say what is best for you moving forward, so do ask them. If you have a contact number for the specialist nurse do call them and leave a message, failing that call the hospital switchboard and ask to be put through to your named oncologists secretary.

    I hope you get some more information soon about what is going on and the next steps to be taken.

    I wish you all the best but please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Best wishes,

    Naomi