Keytruda is an immunotherapy medicine used to treat kidney cancer, a disease that can cause symptoms like blood in urine and is sometimes linked to factors like smoking. It works by helping your body's own immune system fight the cancer. Alongside medical care, a healthy lifestyle supports overall well-being.

Keytruda for Kidney Cancer

Overall Survival Benefit

Clinical Trial Report (NEJM Article)

Brief Summary: Immunotherapy Side Effects

Immunotherapy Side Effects

Efectos secundarios de la inmunoterapia

Is it worth it?

Merck Company Website

Research Publications

Bladder cancer occurs when abnormal cells form in your bladder's lining. The most common symptom is blood in urine, sometimes with frequent or painful urination. Smoking is a key cause, along with certain chemical exposures. Treatment options often include surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy, depending on the cancer stage. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, especially quitting smoking, is important for prevention and management.

Bladder cancer

Stoma care is the essential daily management of a surgically created opening (stoma) on the abdomen, typically for waste elimination. It involves meticulous cleaning, proper pouching, and skin protection to prevent irritation and infection. With education and routine, people with stomas can maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.

Stoma Care

**PSA Screening/Elevated PSA**

PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) is a protein made by the prostate gland. An elevated PSA level in a blood test can indicate prostate cancer, but more commonly points to non-cancerous conditions like prostate enlargement (BPH) or inflammation. If your PSA is elevated, your doctor will discuss further evaluation to understand the cause and next steps.

PSA Screening/ Elevated PSA

Prostate cancer is a common cancer in men. Active surveillance is a management approach for low-risk prostate cancer, often with no symptoms, where it's closely monitored through regular tests (like PSA tests and exams) instead of immediate aggressive treatment. This helps avoid potential side effects while maintaining a focus on overall health through lifestyle choices.

Prostate Cancer, Active Surveillance

Localized prostate cancer means the cancer is contained within the prostate gland and hasn't spread. Often without early symptoms, its development can be linked to age and family history. Treatment options, discussed with your doctor, may range from active surveillance to surgery or radiation, often supported by healthy lifestyle choices.

Prostate Cancer, Localized, Treatment

Advanced prostate cancer means the disease has spread beyond the prostate, often to bones. Symptoms can include bone pain or fatigue. Treatment aims to manage the cancer and improve quality of life, using therapies like hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted drugs. Supportive care and symptom management are key.

Prostate Cancer, Advanced Stage

Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when the muscles and tissues supporting your bladder, bowels, and uterus become weak, tight, or uncoordinated. This can cause symptoms like urinary leakage, constipation, or pelvic pain. Treatment often involves specialized physical therapy and lifestyle adjustments to improve muscle function and reduce discomfort.

Pelvic floor dysfunction

A renal mass is an abnormal growth or lump in the kidney. While many are benign (non-cancerous), like cysts, some can be malignant (cancerous); they are often found incidentally but might cause symptoms like blood in urine. Management varies based on the mass's nature, from monitoring to treatment, and a healthy lifestyle supports kidney health.

Renal Mass

Localized kidney cancer means abnormal cells are found only within the kidney. Often found early, symptoms might include blood in urine or back pain, with causes linked to smoking or obesity. Treatment frequently involves surgery, emphasizing the importance of a healthy lifestyle for overall well-being.

Kidney cancer, localized

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma is cancer that develops in the lining of the kidney or ureter (the tube connecting the kidney to the bladder). Key symptoms often include blood in the urine. While smoking and certain chemical exposures are common risk factors, treatment typically involves surgery, and lifestyle changes like quitting smoking are crucial.

Urothelial Carcinoma of the Upper Tract

An adrenal mass is a growth found on one of your small adrenal glands, located above your kidney. Most are benign (non-cancerous) and found by chance, causing no symptoms. However, some may produce excess hormones or, less commonly, be cancerous. A doctor will evaluate it to determine its nature and guide appropriate care, which might include monitoring or removal.

Adrenal Mass

Testicular cancer is a treatable cancer that begins in the testicles, often appearing as a painless lump, swelling, or heaviness in the scrotum. While its exact causes are unclear (an undescended testicle is a known risk factor), it's highly curable, especially when caught early. Treatment typically involves surgery, sometimes with chemotherapy or radiation, making self-awareness and regular self-exams important for timely detection.

Testicular cancer

Cancer is a disease where the body's cells grow abnormally and uncontrollably. Symptoms vary widely depending on the type and location, but common treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. While causes are complex, healthy lifestyle choices like diet and exercise can influence risk and overall health.

Cancer basics

Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in your kidneys, often causing severe back or side pain and sometimes blood in the urine. They can be linked to dehydration or diet. While painful, many pass with increased fluids, or medical procedures may be needed for larger stones. Staying well-hydrated is crucial for prevention.

Kidney stones

Kidney cysts are common, fluid-filled sacs that can form in the kidneys. Many are harmless, cause no symptoms, and require no treatment. Others may need monitoring or intervention if they grow large, cause pain, or affect kidney function. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle generally supports kidney health.

Kidney cysts

Recurrent UTIs mean experiencing frequent urinary tract infections. Common symptoms include burning with urination, urgency, and frequent urges to go. While often caused by bacteria, managing them typically involves working with a doctor for treatment and discussing preventive steps like good hydration and hygiene to help reduce future occurrences.

Recurrent UTIs

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland, a small organ in men. Symptoms often include pelvic pain, discomfort with urination, and urinary urgency. It can result from bacterial infections or other non-infectious causes. Treatment may involve medication, and lifestyle adjustments like adequate hydration and avoiding irritants can help manage symptoms. It's a common and often treatable condition.

Prostatitis

Penile cancer is a rare cancer affecting the skin or tissues of the penis. Symptoms can include skin changes, lumps, unhealing sores, or unusual discharge. Risk factors include HPV and certain lifestyle factors; maintaining good hygiene can help. Treatment often involves surgery or radiation, and early detection is key for better outcomes.

Penile cancer

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when a man has difficulty getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sexual activity. This common condition can be caused by physical factors like diabetes or heart disease, psychological stress, or lifestyle choices. Effective treatments and lifestyle changes, such as healthy diet and exercise, can often help improve ED.

Erectile dysfunction

Overactive Bladder (OAB) is a common condition causing a sudden, strong urge to urinate, often leading to frequent bathroom trips day and night, and sometimes accidental leakage. This occurs when the bladder muscles contract involuntarily. Lifestyle adjustments like managing fluid intake and diet, along with bladder training and various medications, can effectively help manage symptoms and improve daily life.

Overactive bladder

Nocturia is the medical term for waking up one or more times during the night specifically to urinate. This can be caused by various factors, including fluid intake patterns, medications, and underlying health conditions like bladder issues or diabetes. Managing nocturia often involves lifestyle adjustments, such as timing fluid intake, and addressing any contributing medical conditions with your healthcare provider.

Nocturia

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate, is a very common, non-cancerous condition where the prostate gland grows with age. This growth can press on the urethra, causing urinary symptoms like frequent urges, a weak stream, or waking up at night to urinate. It's often managed through lifestyle adjustments, medications, or, in some cases, minor procedures to help you feel more comfortable.

BPH, Enlarged Prostate

Blood in the urine, or hematuria, means blood is present, either visible (pink/red/brown) or microscopic. While often caused by treatable conditions like infections or kidney stones, it's crucial to see a doctor to identify the underlying cause and determine the best approach. Staying well-hydrated can sometimes help prevent certain contributing factors.

Blood in the urine

Chad Reichard

Jeanie Fromme, LPN Clinical Assistant

Surgery (Urology)

Diseases where body cells grow abnormally and can spread.

Cancer

Problems with glands on your kidneys that make hormones for stress, energy, and blood pressure.

Adrenal conditions

Cancer conditions affecting the bladder, the organ storing urine.

Conditions affecting your bladder, kidneys, and how you urinate.

Bladder and Urinary Issues

Conditions where your body bleeds too easily or can't stop bleeding.

Bleeding Concerns

Problems that stop urine from flowing freely from your kidneys, bladder, or tubes.

Blockages in the Urinary Tract

Prostate problems that affect men's urination and health.

Prostate Conditions

Everyday health, wellness tips, and understanding how to manage your care.

General Health & Patient Education

Kidney Cancer

Cancers that start in the prostate gland, a male reproductive organ.

Prostate Cancer

Conditions affecting male organs, fertility, and sexual health.

Men's Reproductive Health

Health conditions affecting sex organs, fertility, & sexual well-being.

Sexual and Reproductive Health

Conditions affecting your kidneys and the tubes that carry urine.

Kidney & Ureter Conditions

Conditions from hard, stone-like deposits in kidneys and urinary tract.

Kidney Stones

Problems with bladder, bowel, pain, or pelvic organ support.

Pelvic Floor & Pelvic Health

Conditions causing accidental urine leakage or loss of bladder control.

Urinary Incontinence

Conditions that cause pain, aches, soreness, or general unease.

Pain and discomfort

Infections affecting your urinary tract, bladder, and private areas.

Urinary & Intimate Infections

Tests to find what's wrong or to check for health problems.

Screening and Diagnostic Procedures

Health issues impacting women's bodies and well-being, including reproductive health.

Women's Health

Bladder problems preventing normal urine flow, requiring a new way for urine to exit the body.

Urinary Diversion

Health issues treated by operations and care for healing.

Surgical and Post-Surgical Care

Conditions that don't fit into other main groups. A mixed collection of health issues.

Chad Reichard, MD

Keytruda for Kidney Cancer

Recommended Resources

Related Resources from Chad Reichard, MD

Meet Chad Reichard, MD

Provider locations

Find me online