Renal Cell Carcinoma (Kidney Cancer) Support Group

Welcome to the Group. I know you will find many wonderful and helpful people here, perhaps even some friends.

To answer your question, this is the beginning, NOT the end. Every day is wonderful in its own right and every day alive is a victory. Every tomorrow is a goal, not a challenge.

My wife and I have been so blessed and supported by everyone here that we feel truly blessed.

You didn't ask any specific questions about RCC so I'll not bore you with answers you already know, perhaps better than I. But please keep us all informed about your well being and if you need advice, be sure to ask.

Again, welcome

Dave

I HAD A TUMOR AND 1/2 OF THE RIGHT KIDNEY REMOVED IN NOVEMBER 08. JUST HAD MY FOLLOWUP SCANS AND BLOOD WORK THIS CAME BACK NORMAL. SO I TOO WONDER FOR HOW LONG OR WILL IT COME BACK. I HAD THE SAME THOUGHTS AND QUESTIONS. BUT DON'T BE CONSUMED BY THIS AS IT WILL DRIVE YOU NUTS. TRY TO HEAR THE DRS. WORDS. THEY ARE EXPERTS. AND LIVE EACH DAY FOR IT IS THE GIFT YOU ARE SURE OF. I PRAY THAT YOU WILL FIND COMFORT HERE FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT D.S. LAZER LENNY

I seem to have not closely read your posting, Renee, or maybe you edited it. In any event you DID ask specific questions.

Here is a link that talks about 5-year survival rates:
http://cancer.emedtv.com/kidney-ca...

Actually as I read it, you have a pretty good chance of being alive in 5 years.

Additionally you mentioned millions of cancer cells in body after the kidney is removed. My belief is that maybe you will have them, and maybe you won't. The surgeon won't know if your tumor have breached the blood system (veins, arteries) until the tumor is removed and he/she can actually see what all is involved. If you are lucky, the tumor will still be completely encapsulated.

And even if you DO have all these little cancer cells, there are new and much improved meds to deal with them.

So remember: a LOT of people do live far beyond 5 years. And when reading the statistics for survivability, remember that it is old data. It takes time to incorporate the improved survival rates being obtained with the new treatments.

You have a tough road ahead of you, and I hope you keep in touch with us and let us help. But the bottom line in my opinion is that you are VERY likely to survive this. Keep positive, maintain good communication with your physicians, and remember the YOU are part of the decision-making process and part of the solution.

Best of luck to you

Dave

Another welcome to the group. I am not sure if you have an oncologist but I would really recommend one with a RCC specialty. I had my left kidney removed in 01 - it was much larger but "totally" contained in the sac. My cancer reappeared in 08 - 7 years later - in my lungs. I am not sure how those other cancer cells "die" without a little nudging from medication but a good oncologist can be your best friend in this regard. Following my surgery in 01 the MD felt it not necessary for any radiation or other follow up. I dont know now if it would have made a difference had I been with an oncologist at that time. Best of luck to you. It is NOT the end of anything. I believe most cancer isolated to the kidney is very successful with surgery.

Hi Renee',
sorry this has taken so long to get back to you, thank you for commenting on my very first journal, when Tim was d/x'ed..I tried your email address but it came back undeliverable, you have the right attitude facing this disease, it's been hard on the both of us, but things are alot better today then when we were both going thru the shock of the news...Did the surgeon tell you if they were going to do this laparoscopic ?? Tim's nephrectomy was done that way and when they are done they place the kidney in a bag which keeps everything contained and there isn't to much risk of spilledge.. That makes it less risky and cancer cells kidney and tumor are kept togeather knowing this may help you from worrying about the millions cancer cells that you mentioned don't get into your blood stream..Where the surgeon told you your tumor is contained in the kidney itself makes for a better chance of the surgeon getting all the cancer and they pull the kidney out that way, i hope knowing this helps you not to worry..Like Dave mentioned the statistic are older statistics and with the treatments they have today survivals are alot better than they used to be..Tim was d/x'ed stage 4 metastasizing to both his lungs, his tumor had already broken thru the kidney capsule into his adrenal gland and 1 lymph node.. I do have to tell you, until the pathology report comes back, it's hard for any doctor to know what time wise anyone has.. Renee' before surgery i was the same way you are now, i wanted to know everything especially on how long Tim had.. I think everyone feels the way you do, when you hear the words renal cell carcinoma and there not being a cure it's devastating so everyone here at this site knows how you feel right now and reaching out and letting others know how you feel will help you so much, this site has gotten me thru so much i just can't express the graditude i have for this site and the wonderful friends that i have met..Tim is doing wonderful today, to look at him you would never know that he has stage 4 mrcc, he feels really good, i hope that i have helped you in some way, by passing on what i have learned, please stay in touch and keep all of us here informed on your surgery, and write me anytime..I'm glad that you commented on my journal and wrote to us here with your questions, i also hope to hear from you before your surgery on the 30th...If i don't hear back from you, good luck with your surgery and my prayers are with you...
Becca Anne

Hi Renee'
My Husband was diagnosed in 1998 he has been through a lot, but he is still here fighting. So the answer is yes. There is life after your diagnosis and surgery. So may God bless you and all the friends on this website with lots of hope.

Hi Renee..the answer to your question is Yes .I am now a Kidney Cancer Survivor since 1991 that is 18 yrs...and my tumor was a lil bigger than yours and in a bad spot. If you havent read my story on my profile yet...go read it And the 5 yr survival rate is for all cancers thats what the docs tell ya cuz they dont really know ,mine told me ill live to be an old woman. So dont worry and I know thats hard to do..Back when I had it there was not much they could do but take the kidney out...it was unheard of to have kidney cancer and I still survived...everybody has cancer cells in thier body...something trigures it and thats how the cells go bad...so we are all living with cancer cells im sure thats prob what the dr meant when he said there will still be millions and millions of cancer cells in your bloodstream . Let me know how things go...Ill add you to my friends list.

Brenda

Hi Renee' -- your tumor size is small compared to many that are found -- while the 5 year and longer survival rates are fairly good for persons in your situation - remember it is an average-- one of the keys to survival with rcc is an agressive program of follow-ups with a specialist who handles rcc on a very frequent basis- this stuff is persistent -- the statement "we got it all: may be accurate as far as the tumor site - but your doctor has wisely, and accurately told of the blood/cancer cell issue.
I know of many long term survivors of more than 10 years -- I am blessed to have survived almost 12 years --
keep asking questions -- warmest wishes - best of success - Mickeral

This is one of my YouTube videos with additional information -- Copy and paste
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CY...

Hi, Hope everthing went well in your surgery. My prayer are with you . My husband also had the same surgery. Make sure the doctors be honest with you. Get any treatment they can give you and be positive and pray.

Hello there
Have read your posting and just want to give encouragement to you and also add hope. How are you feeling after your surgery? Was it a laparascopic procedure? Hoping all went smoothly for you and you are on the mend. You will find much support and sharing of good information and experience on this site.
Keep us posted!
glors