Pembrolizumab for Renal Cell Carcinoma User Reviews

• Tre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2023

Pembrolizumab "Diagnosed with stage 4 renal cell cancer. Kidney removed. One infusion of Keytruda eliminated all cancer except small growth on spine at L4. Treated with radiation. Last PET scan cancer free. 18 months since diagnosis."

• JD8...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 17, 2025

Pembrolizumab "I had minimal side effects vs. benefits. I was diagnosed with clear cell renal cell carcinoma with extensive rhabdoid features (extremely rare in adults and very aggressive). I was stage 4 when diagnosed. I had a nephrectomy and then straight Keytruda treatments every 3 weeks. It had metastasized into both lungs and spine prior to treatment. Fatigue was my major side effect. I did have knee and ankle swelling after the first few treatments, but nothing serious."

• Lod...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2023

Pembrolizumab "I'm in the fifth week of a three-week Keytruda schedule for RCC as an adjuvant. Had surgery in January to excise my left kidney. Was told at the time that there was no more visible cancer and could use Keytruda to make sure the cancer was gone. Sounded good to me. So I started in May. Obviously, I'm at the beginning of a long process, so my comments really only have to do with side effects. I have no prior experience with cancer or chemo- or immunotherapy. No medical background. Other than the cancer, I'm reasonably healthy. The side effects of Keytruda are quite different from those of any other medication I've ever been prescribed or advised to take. They're not consistent even within one patient. They change and revert and change again from more to less to more unpleasant. As of this time (5th week), there's no way to predict what the side effects (if any) will be next week. The side effects I've experienced are unpleasant but not unbearable. I'll continue with the Keytruda."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 12, 2024

Pembrolizumab "In 2021, I had a very large RCC tumor and my left kidney removed. One month later, a CT scan showed that the RCC had spread to my lungs and liver. I had Stage 4, Grade 4 RCC. There were an estimated 10 to 12 lesions on both my lungs and liver. Two tumors were established in my liver. I was started on Keytruda every 3 weeks and daily oral Inlyta. I experienced a Keytruda rash across my entire back after just a few weeks. After about 2 months, I experienced autoimmune hepatitis and had to stop Keytruda, missing about 2 or 3 doses. A CT scan at 3 months showed that all lesions were gone, one tumor reduced over 60%, and the second tumor reduced over 80%. By the next 3-month CT scan, no evidence of cancer was seen. I continued Keytruda for 2 years, taking prednisone to prevent the autoimmune hepatitis. I have now been 3 years cancer-free. A true miracle. Definitely consider Keytruda if it might help your cancer."

• Maw...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 30, 2023

Pembrolizumab "I don't know how much it has helped or not helped, but I do know that I've been on Keytruda now for 2 years and I don't have any side effects whatsoever. Thank you, Father. It looks like some people have. I started with renal cell carcinoma in my right kidney. They took out my kidney 9 years later. They found it had metastasized to my lung. I lost the lower left lobe of my lung. And I've been on Keytruda ever since, with Linvema in the evenings as a capsule. God willing, I am okay. Some lung issues while walking or in the sun but otherwise I am okay."

• Hea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2022

Pembrolizumab "My husband had lung cancer, for which he had radiation. Within 3 months, it metastasized to his kidney and spine, stage 4. He was in terrible pain, so they did 15 treatments of palliative radiation. After this, the oncologist encouraged him to try the Keytruda infusions. As soon as the infusion started, he said he knew it was a mistake. Upon completion of the treatment, he came out of the building disoriented. Two days later, he was in the ER with low calcium, low magnesium, kidneys failing, and dehydration. By Friday, he was under hospice care. It has been 2 weeks since the infusion, and he continues to spiral downward. Please, I beg you, don’t use this treatment. It is lethal."

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2022

Pembrolizumab "Going for my third infusion in a few weeks and a cystoscopy. I get the infusion every six weeks. So far, just minor complaints, weight gain, rash that comes and goes, cough, some diarrhea, muscle pain sometimes, and face a little puffy. Bloodwork has been good so far. Had a TIA a month ago, but the oncologist said it wasn't the Keytruda. I'm going to my primary care this week to see what's going on. Not sure how to rate Keytruda yet, so I'll give it a 5."

• Ben...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2023

Pembrolizumab "I have had three infusions of Keytruda and had headaches, and felt lethargic, weak, and tired. My blood reading was very bad after two infusions. After the third infusion, my doctor took me off Keytruda. It caused my thyroid to develop hypothyroidism. I now take 150 micrograms of levothyroxine, and my atopic dermatitis has worsened. I have dry eyes and blurred vision at times too. Thank goodness my therapy was an adjuvant therapy. I have been off Keytruda for four months, but I am still having skin breakouts and peeling. I would only use this drug if you have cancer. I would not use it for adjuvant therapy. It has way too many side effects!"

• Blu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2022

Pembrolizumab "My mom was diagnosed with kidney cancer that spread to her lungs. My mom was talking, walking, aside from the cancer, nothing physically was wrong with her. When she had her first treatment of Keytruda, she started experiencing coughing up blood, severe diarrhea, it got so bad to the point she ended up in ICU, unable to walk or talk, and eventually she ended up passing away. This drug does not help, it only speeds up the death process."

• Raj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 26, 2024

"Feel tired all the day, dry skin of face, itching legs skin, and running nose symptoms like cold or flu. I have taken five doses till now with a 21-day span, and the doctor advised 17 doses in one year."

• Any...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 26, 2025

"This Tuesday will be my 61st infusion of Keytruda. Every three weeks, the side effects are different after every infusion, but they are definitely manageable. I have never experienced any need at all. So, after four years of dual treatment of Keytruda and Inlyta, while my cancer still shows apparent metastasis, the treatment is holding everything stable so far."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2024

Pembrolizumab "Overall minimal side effects: fatigue and dry mouth"

• fkr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2023

Pembrolizumab "Pain in joints, muscle weakness, neck stiffness. Still worth continuing the treatment. Doctors think it is working and side effects may end after treatment ends."

• jba...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 25, 2023

"After a radical nephrectomy, in combination with Axitinib, this medication saved my life. It took some time to adequately manage the side effects, but I've had a complete response."