RCC with mets to lungs

Bellweather
Bellweather Member Posts: 102
in Kidney Cancer #1

Well, I have officially joined!! Mass R Nephrectomy in August 2011. It had punctured vena cava and i started to bleed out slowly, emergency surgery to remome R kidney with 7cm tumor. Tumor was not attached to vena cava but had punctured it, vascular sugeon (and Kidney cancer surgeon) removed kidney and stitched vena cava to stop bleeding. No mets at time and have had all sceenings regularly since, living life to the fullest. Last CT showed 3 small nodules on lungs, 2 in L and 1 in R, largest measuring 5mm. PET had no uptake, needle biopsy scheduled for Monday June 23rd, hope they can hit it?? Anyway, I am prepared for whatever it will be as I have no real choice. Thinking about writing a book titled "I have cancer, I am blessed" based on all of the issues I have overcome in my 49 years and all of the people that have helped and loved me along the way. I am lucky to still be here and I do not plan on leaving anytime soon, Lord willing!! I look forward to learning more about everyone here and living life to the fullest with my beatiful wife, 3 daughters and large family and friends.

Comments

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #2
    Nodules on the lungs

    Bellweather,

     

    Do not get ahead of the game. Your nodules are so small that they would not even be picked up by a chest xray. At 5mm the chance of  them being malignant is less than 1%. The concern is that as they grow larger they have a greater chance of being malignant.

    By the way I had a chest CT scan ordered for upper respiratory issues about 2 months ago. It disclosed 2, 4 mm nodules on my lung. The opimion of my pulmonologist is that unless they are over 8 mm there is no reason to be concerned. I will discuss this with my Uro;ogist when I see him in 2 months.

    When all is said and done we are both in the same boat as far as mini nodules to the lung(s). So far I am not worried about  them

     

    Icemantoo

  • MDCinSC
    MDCinSC Member Posts: 574
    #3
    icemantoo said:

    Nodules on the lungs

    Bellweather,

     

    Do not get ahead of the game. Your nodules are so small that they would not even be picked up by a chest xray. At 5mm the chance of  them being malignant is less than 1%. The concern is that as they grow larger they have a greater chance of being malignant.

    By the way I had a chest CT scan ordered for upper respiratory issues about 2 months ago. It disclosed 2, 4 mm nodules on my lung. The opimion of my pulmonologist is that unless they are over 8 mm there is no reason to be concerned. I will discuss this with my Uro;ogist when I see him in 2 months.

    When all is said and done we are both in the same boat as far as mini nodules to the lung(s). So far I am not worried about  them

     

    Icemantoo

    Great Insights

    Thanks Icemantoo! 

    That will help down the road I am sure! Hopefully it will help with future scanxiety!

    Michael

  • Bellweather
    Bellweather Member Posts: 102
    #4
    Thanks

    Ice, the general opinion was that they were not there in the past so the radiologist listed them as "suspiciious" due to past history of RCC.  Also, due to the location of the largest, "approx 5mm", a team of doctors were confident that they could successfully get a needle biopsy of the nodule.  If successful and it is not malignant, there will be reason to celebrate!! if malignant, early detection and treatment is a good thing. If the biopsy is not successful, we will have to wait until the 8mm range or so to get a biopsy as the oncologist will not treat what they can't diagnose.

    I have to say that the doctors that I have been involved with along the way have been extremely professional and transparent.  In the end, if anyone needs to know how to properly load and unload ships, I can give expert advise.  As far as cancer, I have to let the experts lead the way.  If biopsy is positive, i have pre registered at MD Anderson, Houston TX for treatment RX.  Administration of the RX to be performed closer to home if needed.  Trying not to get ahead of myself, but preperation is in my nature so I just have to let myself continue to prepare. 

    Please keep me posted on your progress and I will do the same.  Thanks for the reply, I like this site!!!

    p.s. Playing golf this afternoonSmile

  • Darron
    Darron Member Posts: 310 Member
    #5
    Bellweather said:

    Thanks

    Ice, the general opinion was that they were not there in the past so the radiologist listed them as "suspiciious" due to past history of RCC.  Also, due to the location of the largest, "approx 5mm", a team of doctors were confident that they could successfully get a needle biopsy of the nodule.  If successful and it is not malignant, there will be reason to celebrate!! if malignant, early detection and treatment is a good thing. If the biopsy is not successful, we will have to wait until the 8mm range or so to get a biopsy as the oncologist will not treat what they can't diagnose.

    I have to say that the doctors that I have been involved with along the way have been extremely professional and transparent.  In the end, if anyone needs to know how to properly load and unload ships, I can give expert advise.  As far as cancer, I have to let the experts lead the way.  If biopsy is positive, i have pre registered at MD Anderson, Houston TX for treatment RX.  Administration of the RX to be performed closer to home if needed.  Trying not to get ahead of myself, but preperation is in my nature so I just have to let myself continue to prepare. 

    Please keep me posted on your progress and I will do the same.  Thanks for the reply, I like this site!!!

    p.s. Playing golf this afternoonSmile

    Hit them straight

    I have rework lung mets at 2 and 4 mm. Good to know as well. 

    Enjoy the golf

  • Galrim
    Galrim Member Posts: 307
    #6
    What Iceman said and...

    ...just wondering if you got any further explanation as to the biopsy decision? I can only base it on my own ongoing dialogue with my doctors for several years about my nodules, but biopsy with such a small nodule just seems a bit strange to me instead of a repeated scan in a couple of months to see if it has changed.

    My oncologist, urologist as well as a thoracic surgeon all told me that if below 10 mm it was pointless to do surgery or biopsy unless a change was observed with a scan after 3 months of the first detection. And that with clear cell RCC it didnt pose a risk to wait when they were so small.

    Maybe you have prognostic factors prompting them to do it, just wondering...

    /G

  • saintmont
    saintmont Member Posts: 63
    #7
    nodules

    I is not unsual to to have a ct guided biopsy of a nodule 5mm, they will examine previous scan and then take a post scan get the measurment the needle has to go in, get the sample have a look under the microscope to make they have a good sample and it what think and them send it to pathology.

  • Bellweather
    Bellweather Member Posts: 102
    #8
    Galrim said:

    What Iceman said and...

    ...just wondering if you got any further explanation as to the biopsy decision? I can only base it on my own ongoing dialogue with my doctors for several years about my nodules, but biopsy with such a small nodule just seems a bit strange to me instead of a repeated scan in a couple of months to see if it has changed.

    My oncologist, urologist as well as a thoracic surgeon all told me that if below 10 mm it was pointless to do surgery or biopsy unless a change was observed with a scan after 3 months of the first detection. And that with clear cell RCC it didnt pose a risk to wait when they were so small.

    Maybe you have prognostic factors prompting them to do it, just wondering...

    /G

    Several schools of thought???

    G, their seems to be several schools of thought here.  I guess the fact that I had CT no mets in August 2011 when the R Kidney was removed, then no lung mets on follow up CT on 6, 2012, the nodules that were discovered on 5/2013 were enough proof of growth.  Once again, I am following the experts lead.  There are several needle biopsy videos for small (5mm) nodules on youtube so I assume it is not completely unheard of.

    The proceedure was uneventful :) The tape removal of the IV was the most painful event.  I have not received lab results but saw the replay and the needle seemed to pass directly through the nodule.  We will keep our fingers crossed and revert to all with results soonest.

    I hope everyone else is doing well and thank you all for your support.

    PS, the Radiologist who performed the biopsy (different from the one that read the CT) said the nodule was closer to 8mm.  He also stated that size is somewhat subjective when reviewed by radiologists.

  • Bellweather
    Bellweather Member Posts: 102
    #9
    Biopsy report

    Biopsy reports clear cell carcinoma mets.  Local oncologist recommending sutant< 4 on, 2 off x .  MD Anderson next week for second opinion on treatment but expect the same recommendation.  Local oncologist works with MD Anderson doctors administering meds often and has good relationship with frequent consultations.  I am ready to go after it and continue to live my life.  I will update all soonest.

    Thanks again for all of the transparent posts that keep us all united through thick and thin, keep posting!!  Prayers for everyone!

  • MDCinSC
    MDCinSC Member Posts: 574
    #10
    Bellweather said:

    Biopsy report

    Biopsy reports clear cell carcinoma mets.  Local oncologist recommending sutant< 4 on, 2 off x .  MD Anderson next week for second opinion on treatment but expect the same recommendation.  Local oncologist works with MD Anderson doctors administering meds often and has good relationship with frequent consultations.  I am ready to go after it and continue to live my life.  I will update all soonest.

    Thanks again for all of the transparent posts that keep us all united through thick and thin, keep posting!!  Prayers for everyone!

    Peace!

    Warm wishes and fervent prayers headed your way!

    Anything you need, that I might have, simply say so! I'll do what I can!

  • Bellweather
    Bellweather Member Posts: 102
    #11
    Positive update

    Latest full scan shows no new mets>  Two lung mets are now described as "tiny" and no growth on the 5mm nodule. 50mg Sutent, 1wk on 1wk off.   Thank you CSN for being here all along the way!

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #12
    Bellweather said:

    Positive update

    Latest full scan shows no new mets>  Two lung mets are now described as "tiny" and no growth on the 5mm nodule. 50mg Sutent, 1wk on 1wk off.   Thank you CSN for being here all along the way!

    Early detection

    Bell,

     

     

    Your follow up scan and biopsy allowed that nasty little nodule to be nipped in the bud before it could cause any serious problems.

     

     

    Icemantoo

  • saintmont
    saintmont Member Posts: 63
    #13
    rrc with mets to lungs

    Hi, Keep looking forward and keep playing golf

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