Dear Lunetnz, Welcome to the club of Kidney Cancer survivors. I had my surgery on 8.1.02 and at that time they renoved the whole kidney with the tumor. A 2 cm tumor is fairly small as most are discovered when they are larger, Mine was 2.7 cm. Usually tumors this size have not metasticsied so if you do have problems with the lung it is probably not from the Kidney Cancer. Surgery cures Kidney Cancer in over 50% of the cases where the tumor is taken out before it metasticises. I look forward to you welcoming the newcomers over the next 8 years as I am doing now.

Best wishes, Thorntree

Hi Carol and I'm so pleased you have found this site but so sorry for the reason that has led you here. People here are like a second family, so caring and supportive. because of your gll bladder surgery, your kidney tumour has been discovered at anearly stage (2cm is small) so a partial is all that may be necessary. Many people here have been cancer-free after having their kidney either partially or fully removed. Ask any questions you have here and your surgeon should also answer your concerns.
My thoughts will be with you.

Thank you so much for the timely replies....my family is not willing to talk with me too much about this, as yet so I am grateful to have found this wonderful site!

I am 71, lost the whole left kidney 8/27/09 and when you hear about all those tests bankrupting the medicare system they are talking about me. the docs are still looking at "stuff" in my right lung that is not growing and despite various tests they can not identify it. my tumor was 12 cm - pretty large - and except for the CT scans every 3-4 months (which I am not happy about)there is no post op protocol or treatment. not understanding what you mean about your family not talking with you. are they avoiding the topic because cancer scares folks and if they ignore it it goes away? you need to ask your doc every question that comes to mind; what are your options, what are the post op possibilities, what can you do or not do as you live your life? does your doc suggest a second opinion? from your description you pretty much face a normal life. and if you need to add some adventure and uncertainty, you will have to make things up yourself if you feel that your life will be too boring. or try sky diving and bungy(?) jumping. good luck, be well, Rich

The decision to remove the whole kidney or only part largely depends on where the tumor is located. If it is not near an artery or the urater, then you can have a partial and should expect good results. If it is close or involves one of them, then the decision is YOURs to make. I told the Doctor I wanted the safest approach, he did not hesitate and recommended full removal of the kidney, adrenaline gland and the sac that contains them. I have not regretted the decision. My other kidney picked up the work without any problems.
I'm also in the same boat with my wife, she does not want me using the 'C' word. When I talk to friends, I can tell it upsets them. A friend of mine was diagnosed with Breast cancer about the same time as me. We talk a lot and that helps. You also have this forum to ask questions, or just vent.
My surgery was almost 4 months ago, Im still nervous about if they got it all. I know the reports looked good, but I need to have a re-scan and therm not find anything to make me fell better.
The UCLA medical center has some good research. They have done a fairly large survey for 15 years and have developed some criteria to produce 5, 10 and 15 year survival rates. I don't know all of your details, but from what I can tell, your 15 year survival rate should be very high. It could be as high as 92%. Some of that will depend on the furhman grade. This will come from the pathology after the surgery. It usually takes 7-10 days to get the report.
I know this has been a long reply, but I felt you needed e information. Don't hesitate to post additional questions.

Jesup - your post made me laugh out loud ......I TOO was subjected to a bunch of tests, once they "had me" for the gall bladder. Medicare is not going to give us a cost of living raise and you and I know why! Thank you all for the encouragement. I am so happy I found this group and you are all in my prayers.

Hi Carol,

i wanted to welcome you to the RCC site, your questions are the usually questions someone new comes to our site.. I am a caregiver to my fiance who was diagnoised with advancede stage metastatic kidney cancer, into his both lungs and 2 postier rib metastis in Aug 2008.. He is doing great today.. Your doctor can tell you more about the size of your tumor and wherther it has metastised and what you have said in your journal it sounds small to beable to do a partial nephrectomy.. I have done a lot of research in the kidney cancer area and altho i am not the person with the cancer it is still a very big part of my life where the man i love has it.. I do relate to you about talking about cancer and how Tim's family runs from this also.. It can make it a very lonly place, but also remember that we are here for you at anytime you feel the need to talk, ask a question or emotional support..

Hugs,
Beccaanne