Renal Cell Carcinoma (Kidney Cancer) Support Group
Renal cell carcinoma, also known by a gurnistical tumor, is the most common form of kidney cancer arising from the renal tubule. It is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults. Initial therapy is with surgery. It is notoriously resistant to radiation therapy and chemotherapy, although some cases respond to immunotherapy.
My husband age 61 needed a physical for work and his liver enzymes were high but he had just had brochitis and was on antibiotics. I didn't think much of it but his GP said to be on the safe side do an untrasound. They found something suspicious still didn't think much of it because he has lipomas (benign cysts) in his back, legs, arms. Had a CT scan and they found 2 masses on his rt kidney (7.7x6.2, 3.6x4). Our daughter is a RN and works at the surgery center for Loma Linda Univ. Medical Center and had the urologist that my husband will see Tues look at the scan and it look like he will be having to have the kidney removed but it look like the lymph nodes are okay but wont know until they go in. My husband feels fine other than the cysts will bother him occasionally. My husband has never smoked and has always lived life more healthy than the rest of us. I am so scared but he is doing alright, I think he is in denial that this could happen to him. I don't know what to say or think.
Here's to a good Pathology result.
Remember to take care of you, too - it's not easy being the carer' Hugs and many thoughts going your way
Margins were clear but because of the size (over 8cm) increased chances that it may show up somewhere else. No lymph nodes were involved or any other organs. Stage 3 classified as T3a renal cancer.
Right now he's so happy to be home and I'm so glad to have him home. After he recuperates there are some preventative treatments we can think about.
Best wishes and a hope for a good recovery over the holidays. I know how your husband feels now. As much as I try and help I can not sugar coat the surgery and that little bit of pain afterwords. It does get better, day by day and week by week. Trust me. Happy holidays.
Icemantoo
question: what treatment are they talking about as a preventative? the only one I came across was a clinical trial that has been going on for a while with no indication as yet whether it will be effective. plus, as a blind trial there was a 1/3 chance I would be getting a placebo. at 71, I was not about to put my lone kidney at risk - including some harsh side effects - so I opted out.
everyone is different as to where they are in life and what is worth chancing. even though my prognosis is a likelihood of a recurrence because four lymph nodes had cancer cells (and were removed) I felt the quality of my lifestyle was more important. there are plenty of treatments out there that will wear me down and perhaps give me additional years - when I need it - but I will not rush the process.
a great time of the year to look forward to gaining back weight, recovering strength, getting back some sanity and actually returning to what passes for normal. good fortune to you and the family. anxious to read what the preventative treatment will be.
be well, Rich
be prepared to ask questions. the study I was presented with involved Sorafenib (Nexarl) and Sunitinib (Sutent). use Google or Bing to look them up. one question I asked the docs was "if I was your favorite uncle, what would you advise me to do?"
be well and good outcomes for the New Year - you folks have much to celebrate, Rich
My husband is doing well but he has one issue. The pain from the nephrectomy is not the problem but he is in pain from where the drain tube was down to his testicle which is swollen and at times the swelling goes down but then it swells back up....anyone had this problem? We saw the doctor yesterday for a post op visit and he said it could be an infection from the drain and if it continues they would put him on antibiotics. He's doing so well if it wasn't for this.