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Newly diagnosed...please help
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Jun 27, 2010 - 2:49 pm
I'm a 41 year old female, relatively healthy exept for being overweight and (in the last year) taking high blood pressure meds. I've just been diagnosed with RCC: 2.5cm in the upper lobe of my right kidney. They showed me on a CT...it sort of looks like a golf ball half in/half out of the top of my kidney. It was just confirmed Friday via CT scan (it was found accidentally during an abdominal CT scan two weeks ago when I was in the hospital with stomach and back pain). They are scheduling an appt. with a urologist next week to decide on the next course of action. I have been doing some reading, but I have so many questions. Will it likely be a partial or total nephrectomy? What are the advantages and risks of a partial? What is the recovery like? How long will I be off work (desk job)? Will I have to have other meds or chemo? What stage is it likely to be? Should I make any changes (diet etc.)? I'm concerned that they will want to act with only a consult with the urologist. I feel like I should also be seen by an oncologist. Any recommendations or advice would be so appreciated! I'm in the Kansas City area, so local resource recommendations would also be great. |
Joined: Jan 2010
My C-T scan showed a 2.7cm tumor so its sounds like we are in the same boat. My surgery was 8 years ago at age 59 and I am doing fine now. In my case my Urologist was also a Surgeon and was also an Oncologist. Only 2 of some 20 doctors in his Urology group actually did this surgery. Most Urologists diagnose Kidney Cancer, but leave it to an Oncologist or Surgeon to do the Surgery. When you meet with the Urologist, he will likely make another referral unless this is his area of expertice. The good thing about the Kidney Cancer you have is that it is of the size that it probably has not spread and the surgery will provide a cure. Definately try and cut the weight down as that will make the surgery and recovery more difficult. When I had mine they were not doing partial nepharotomys so that will possibly be an option for you to discuss with your Surgeon. If the cancer has not spread you will not be having chemo. As for the Surgery and recovery this is major addominal surgery which is not fun, but it beats the alternative. This is not a procedure. Absent complications you will be in the hospital a few days and on bed rest for a week or 2 after. You may have to be off work 4 to 6 weeks. By the way at 60 I went waterskiing 11 months after my surgery so I expect nothing less from a young 41 year old.