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.
I am a 36 year old woman with no previous health conditions other than slight hypertension that was discovered 3 years ago during an anxiety attack. I was given Innopran and since it has been controlled. Last summer I went to my doctor with complaints of urinary tract infection. It took about two months to finally go away, I figured this could be from the IUD i had implanted months before. Prior to this I never had a problem. Because my urine was showing microscopic levels of blood she referred me to the urologist. The doctors sent me to get an ultrasound before my visit to the urologist. Even though my ultrasound came out clear she wanted a CT scan done with and without contrast. The results of that came out clear according to the radiologist, however upon review she saw a small shadow at the top pole of my left kidney. Because she didnt know what to make of it at the time she told me to come back in Feb. for another follow up. I went to the doctor this week and all my blood work came out normal . As a matter of fact she said that my kidneys work better than anyone else shes seen. She says they are in excellenct functioning order. However she is sending me back to get another CT scan on Monday because she wants to look at that area again and compare scans. She says that my urine still indicates microscopic blood and wants to rule out any mass. Although she performed a cystoscopy back in November and told me that she was pretty sure that the blood was coming from a urethral stricture and urethral polyps. Anyway I am extremely concerned and would love to hear some input. Dont you guys think that its unusual that two radiologists read both the ultrasound and the Ct scan as normal? I saw the CT scan too and I do see what shes talking about however her uncertainty makes me question her opinion. What to you think?
I've had microscopic blood in my urine for years. Doctors have done CT scans and cystoscopies...and determined that I'm just a person who will have blood in the urine. They told me not to worry. Hopefully, yours will turn out to be the same.
When blood showed up in my husband's urine, his CTscan showed a mass in his right kidney. A nephrectomy was performed, and it was clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
I admire your doctor for being vigilant, and wanting to rule out any mass. I wish you the best.
Hugs, Ingrid
Nonetheless, I do recommend you get to the bottom of this as soon as you can. Here' s what happened to me in a nutshell, just so you know where I'm coming from:
In March of 2009 my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. Seven months later it was my turn -a CAT Scan had revealed a 7cm mass in my left kidney. Prior to that, I experienced a dull pain in my lower abdomen (both sides). I thought I just aggravated some nerves because around that time I did some heavy lifting stuff outside on our patio. But the pain wouldn't subside and one day in September I urinated blood. I decided to ignore it, which was stupid of course. Anyway, a few days later, again blood in my urine but this time there were also clots which scared the hell out of me. My wife finally convinced me to see an urologist. since I was only 37 years old and overall in good health, chances were that I had a couple of kidney stones bouncing around inside of me. But obviously it was kidney cancer, the CAT Scan showed a large black tumor on my left side which overshadowed the entire left kidney. A cystoscopy was order and the diagnosis got confirmed. A few weeks later I had a radical laparoscopic nephrectomy.
So, now back to you. I don't know enough specifics about your situation nor do I try to give you medical advice. However, one thing that struck me unusual based on what you shared here with us: did you get to see another health care professional, yet? Please go and get a second option. This is of paramount importance. I can tell you many stories based on what happened to my wife and I which emphasize how critical it is to get a few opinions as opposed to just go with Dr #1 told you - and no, I don't mean to discredit your doctor, yet, this is your life and no matter what the blood in your urine is caused by, you need to take care of the situation as soon as possible.
Lastly, again based on what you told us, I highly doubt that you have kidney cancer.
I wish you all the best. Please let me know if you have nay other questions and I will try to answer.