What are the side effects of radiation used in lithotripsy?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 24 years old. I had my kidney stone removed a year ago because it was causing mild hydronephrosis in my right kidney. During the treatment, I was exposed to a lot of radiation, including an abdominal CT scan, lithotripsy, fluoroscopy, and another fluoroscopy during stent insertion. I am not sure how the doctor manages the radiation. I did my treatment abroad, and it is not really a well-developed country. He might not even care about it. I studied some about radiation when I was in dental school, so I am terrified of the side effects.

So if I am to have another case of hydronephrosis, should I remove the kidney rather than undergo such radiation, which may cause me a high risk of future cancer? Because, as you can see, I am still so young, and I just started my career. What do you suggest? Do the pros outweigh the cons or vice versa? Is there another less risky treatment in terms of radiation? How about invasive treatment? Is the risk higher aside from the slow healing? And I am serious about the removal if indeed it has a lower radiation risk, even though I know the kidney is significant.

Please suggest.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

There are enough studies and literature that prove that though there is radiation exposure during a CT (computed tomography) scan in the removal of kidney stone it is in a low dose, and chances of cancer do not increase. So do not worry about that. I do not think removing a kidney to escape from radiation exposure is a good option. You should not think of that. If there is again stone formation, then there is a treatment called ultrasound-guided lithotripsy (ESWL), which can break your stone from outside without any radiation exposure. So you can do ESWL (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy) if required later, but there is no need to remove the kidney.

I hope this helps.