Solitary Lung Met

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dhs1963
dhs1963 Member Posts: 513
in Kidney Cancer #1

First a quick recap: 

May 1 2012, mass found on kidney via CT Scan. 

June 19, 2012 Radical Nephrectomay; tumer rated T1B, Furman grade 4 (15% Saratomoid diiferentiation).

Dec 19, 2012 While at NIH for Familial RCC study, 1.5 cm mass on my lung ID's.  Pet Scan and biopsy showed it to be cancerous.

Feb 5, 2012 Lung Mass removed.  Preliminary Path indicates tumor is RCC; awaiting final results

According to the Dr, the best treatment for me is survailience.  If there is no tumor to measure, there is no way to measure the effectiveness of treatment.   So, monitor me closely, so that any future met is found quickly.  Basically, treat a solitary lung met as though it was a stage 1 RCC, but with more agressive survaliance.  It sounds reasonable, but I wish there were more that could be done to stop anything else lurking in my system.

I should also mention, compared to the nephrectomy, the thorasic surgery (recection of the mass) is trivial.  Once the chest tube was out, I was basically fine.

 

 

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  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #2
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    Surveillance

    Unfortunately, in our present state of medical knowledge and technology, uncertainty is part of the game with RCC. 

    However, it sounds as though you've been getting the right treatment and correct advice and your prospects are good.  The only negative is the estimated 15% sarcomatoid de-differentiation, which does mean that the histology was/is more aggressive and so regulat CT scans are essential for quite a time ahead just to make sure that if anything else turns up it can be knocked on the head good and early.

  • dhs1963
    dhs1963 Member Posts: 513
    #3
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    Texas_wedge said:

    Surveillance

    Unfortunately, in our present state of medical knowledge and technology, uncertainty is part of the game with RCC. 

    However, it sounds as though you've been getting the right treatment and correct advice and your prospects are good.  The only negative is the estimated 15% sarcomatoid de-differentiation, which does mean that the histology was/is more aggressive and so regulat CT scans are essential for quite a time ahead just to make sure that if anything else turns up it can be knocked on the head good and early.

    I guess my uncertainty is how do mets present?

    Odds are, based on searches of the literature, that at some time in the future, there will be future mets.  If they continue to be in easy to resect locations, I am good.  Otherwise, things will get worse.  I guess these are questions for my urological oncologist.

     

  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #4
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    dhs1963 said:

    I guess my uncertainty is how do mets present?

    Odds are, based on searches of the literature, that at some time in the future, there will be future mets.  If they continue to be in easy to resect locations, I am good.  Otherwise, things will get worse.  I guess these are questions for my urological oncologist.

     

    Uncertainty

    I guess I'm living proof of the accuracy of your analysis.  However, your docs will have a good idea where any mets that you might get will be likely to manifest and how best to deal with them.  Just consider that I'm going to be around for a while yet and against your T1b grade 4, 15% sarcomatoid, I have T4 grade 4 and 50+% sarcomatoid and I'm around 30 years older than you are. 

    So, live a sensible lifestyle, ensure you're regularly monitored, trust your docs to get your back, if/when, needed, and get on with enjoying your life.  (If that proves too difficult, go for psychological help to cope with the anxiety.)

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