Kidney Cancer — Cancer Survivors Network

Cancer shock

Tkracke — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 02:37:33 +0000

I’ve had a heck of a few weeks. I’m 49 years old and had an infection develop in my right toe. Being a diabetic I went to get it checked out. The infection was spreading rapidly and amputation was the only option. While preparing for the surgery, a CT scan was performed. A mass in my kidney was found, an incidental finding is what they called it.surgery was performed to amputate my toe and then a few days later they removed my kidney. Everything happened so fast I didn’t really have time to think about anything, I just reacted to the situation. Early prognosis is good and I am very thankful for that. Now that the dust has settled I have had time now to begin to reflect on what happened. I am going through multiple emotions, happiness,fear, devastated, confusion, anger, sadness, loss, love, faith. I’m still I’m my recovery process and thankfully I’m home with my family. It has been a long process. I have a 14 inch incision the still burns and hurts. My insides on my left side from where my kidney was talked hurts. I just really don’t know what to expect next or what to expect down the road. I just really would like someone to talk to who has been down this road I’m on. I’m just feeling lost.

CSN will be discontinued as of MAY2026

Allochka — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 15:45:07 +0000

Hello and happy Easter!

I just received an e-mail from CSN admins that it will be discountinued as of 26MAY2026.

Well… I am not here as much as before, and it is the same for many survivors and caregivers. I guess it is a good sign - we all move on and cancer is not on our minds 24/7. And, hopefully, newly diagnosed ones get all the info and support they need from their medical teams.

At the same time this discussion board was the one to keep my sanity when my husband got diagnosed in 2014. People here were the first ones to support, advise, calm me down. I will never forget that and I am eternally gratefull.

This board is part of my life now, where I managed to meet friends who would help and understand.

So I’ll use the opportunity to say

to newly diagnosed ones - do not despair. My husband was diagnosed 11,5 years ago, now NED.
to all I’ve met here- THANK YOU!!!! You were my lifeline, and I wish you NED or stability for many years. Some fighters have died, but we all remeber them

thank you, CSN, old friend…

I want to quit treatments

klarsen316a — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:48:30 +0000

I am struggling! I am teetering on if I should quit my treatments and get the only kidney I have removed and go on dialysis. The treatments seem to be killing me faster than the cancer. I can’t eat because my mouth is very sore. I have no appetite and when I do have an urge to eat, I’m in pain. I struggle with getting enough water in me to stay hydrated too. Also, the constant diarrhea isn’t helping that. I know dialysis will not be easy either, but maybe I can get relief in my mouth so I can enjoy food again. My doctors know the struggles I’m having and try to offer help, but so far nothing has changed, other than new problems that arise. I’m just tired of not enjoying any part of my life right now. I’ve been dealing with this since July of 2024. I’m on anti anxiety meds, antidepressants, Imodium, keytruda, Lenvima, and anti nausea meds (I throw up a lot). I’m just plain old tired of all these side effects.

New to this platform

josevaz77 — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 15:54:39 +0000

Hi All my name is Anthony of 48 years old. I was diagnosed with stage 3 clear cell carcinoma in December 2024. I had a radical nephrectomy in January 2025 and am currently under Immunotherapy treatment every 6 weeks (9 treatments in total). I also have a suspicious nodule in my right thyroid and other "benign" nodules in my bilateral thyroids. I am currently conducting a molecular test for the suspicious nodule and awaiting results. The plan is if I have to remove a partial or full right thyroid, the surgeon will make every effort to delay surgery until immunotherapy is completed so as not to not affect any parts of the immunotherapy. Seeking patients whom have similar situations. Thank you!

Help

LuluW — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 11:33:00 +0000

I’m my husband’s caregiver and I’m alone in this journey. It’s been hell since October. He always hard mitro valve regurgitation for the past 12 years. In October he went into congestive heart failure. We met with surgeon and all was good he could do it the next day if we wanted but we found out he was going out of country for 3 weeks so we decided to wait because he said it was okay. Plus one test didn’t come back yet since we had just completed it that morning. The next morning we got a call and the bottom feel out from under us. It showed a large mass on the kidney. They referred us to a kidney surgeon and once we saw the images we knew he had tot take the kidney. He said in two weeks he can do it laparoscopically. Perfect. After we got another test it showed it spread outside to the vena cava which meant stage 3. My husband had it removed quicker because the kidney lost all blood flow and they had to take it before it went septic. He was happy thinking all was good, he actually thought he was cured. But it metastasized and it went just past into the small veins and then by chance they found new spots on the lung. He now had stage 4. The heart surgeon returned from vacation and the surgery was scheduled in 6 weeks. We met with oncology and pulmonology. They wanted to proceed but since the heart surgeon wanted to do it via da Vinci machine he wanted to wait. I had to make so many phone calls every other day we the other two drs till Finally the heart surgeon agreed to move it up and put a clip in versus a full repair. It’s not the best but his regurgitation was severely reduced to minimal. We started immunotherapy using Katruda and Lenvima. We just finished 3 weeks. The oncologist reduced the Lenvima after one week because he felt it was too strong because his BP spiked. His heart still hasn’t adjusted because it takes months. We’ve increased BP meds and take Lasix which interferes with his only good kidney. The God sent is his kidney functions are normal. Through this he’s lost almost 20 lbs. My daughter is in denial and I have an 86 old father who I also help. None of my neighbors understand that he has to be monitored closely and I kinda have to tag along since his BP can bottom out till they find the right dosage. They want to take him golfing but he has little energy and now has just started to walk 10 minutes a day which is about a 1/4 mile. They say I control too much. He has brain fog, has fallen twice and uses a walker here and there. Yet I’m the delusional one. I’m afraid to leave the house even for my Dr appointments which I e rescheduled so many times. All of our doctors are two hrs away. I’m stressed beyond measure and my hair is thinning out. How does one get help.

Ned after 5 years.

kidneystoneblessing — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 02:27:33 +0000

5 years ago a kidney stone blessing came into my life. It found kidney cancer in my left kidney. Since then I have been well and continue to be Ned after successful surgery! Wanted to let u all know. Keep fighting and staying positive.

Just had surgery for kidney cancer

Mmoses25 — Sun, 31 May 2020 02:46:46 +0000

Hi i had part of my kidney taken out I thought I had stage one come to find out I have stage 3 I'm worried sick about it my tumor was 4.1 centimeter I read something it don't sound good I'm being scan every three month it seams like forever I just need to talk to someone thanks

Need Advice - RCC Stage 3 - Adjuvant therapy - Clinical Trial - Pazopanib v/s Active Monitoring - An

livealive — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 21:58:33 +0000

Diagnosed 11/2011 - Open Partial 01/2012 - Pt3a - 2.5 cm clear cell, Fuhrman grade 2, renal vein invasion, am a high risk - with prognosis of 40% recurrence probability - Early 40's, with generally OK health (some back pain from a disc herniation - well managed, asthma - well managed) Options being given to me are (1) Monitor with ultrasound + xray every 6 months - I am saying this is not adequate, but they tell me - that is standard monitoring protocol. When I asked for monitoring by CT, I was told "we don't want to expose you to so much radiation (but they can on the blind trial ???)" (2) Blind clinical trial of Pazopanib for 1 year - 2 hour trip 1 way for doctor visits, will need several during trial, CT at month 5, 9, and 12, blood tests for liver function (I suppose there are serious side effects ?) Pros - -- Monitoring, -- "Maybe" the drug helps prevent recurrence, "maybe' delays it ? That's what they are testing for -- Clinical trial led by one of the best RCC doctors in the NY area Cons - -- Blind Trial - They won't tell me if they give me drug or placebo -- Side Effects of drug - hypertension, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, liver damage (10%), Possibility of heart failure(rare), -- Side Effects - They are in phase 1 of Study To Assess Long Term Safety Of Pazopanib - ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00387205 -- For placebo, what use is it to me ? -- Resistance to drug - should there be a recurrence -- Drug only proven for PFS by 12 months in metastatic patients - we really don't know if it prevents formation of tumors or spread (3) I could - not sure yet, but go on Pazopanib directly, -- they say it's not approved for stage 3, (but OK to give under blind trial ???), -- may have to pay directly, about $8000/month, which is very pressing -- resistance possibility should recurrence occur -- I don't know whether I will need it, but am told I am high risk due to the renal vein invasion -- They tell me tumor size was small, -- I did not remove the kidney, they had margin, I don't understand the path report, but frozen section states cortical neoplasm < 1 mm from benign margin - and 1 doc says that is very little, consider removing the kidney, except the surgeon here is the best in NY - every doctor has attested to his capability Questions / Requests (1) Does anyone know of any adjuvant therapy ? Experiences ? (2) Knowledge of vaccines ? I did find this - if anyone cares - http://kidney-cancer-journal.com/rini_v9n4.pdf I meet all the doctors again this week, but, I am thinking, for weeks, what do I do ? I have consulted various oncologists, tired of thinking, prayed, and forgive me for saying this (should there be a god, listening) tired of praying, scared (very, when I think of the magnitude of what's happened over the last 3 months since November 28, 2011). I want to do every single thing I can to help myself, at-least while I can. I did read the median is not the message, and I am reading the book "AntiCancer A new way of life", but the real question is, has this "Tangibly" helped other people, the diet, the exercise ? Soliciting Concrete specific proven recommendations. Please write if you have any. I am not sure - but doctors look at this in an abstract manner, I believe the real people here feel what I feel. Many thanks, and my best wishes.

Bosniak 3 cyst and a lung nodule

operarockergirl — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 16:33:58 +0000

Hello everyone!
This is a group I never ever thought I would be posting in, but here I am.

I was diagnosed with a Bosniak 3 cyst, highly suspicious of renal cell carcinoma at the end of December.

I have seen 1 specialist who really dismissed a lot of my worries but said I did need surgery. I agree. I’m waiting for a second opinion from one of the best surgeons around me so I can hopefully get surgery with him.

I am now TERRIFIED (that’s an understatement) even more now because they ordered a chest CT scan - expecting to see nothing. But there is one 3 mm right apical nodule present. It says on my results statistically speaking it’s likely benign, but with everything I’m going through I am truly spiraling.

I am only 32 years old, very overweight from PCOS, have Crohn’s disease, PVCs, high blood pressure, etc. so dealing with this as well has been very hard for me. Especially because I have 2 young kids who are my entire world.

Any positive stories, experiences, etc. would be greatly appreciated right now. I’m trying to be okay, but I truly am not.

Thank you everyone! 🙏

Update

jazzgirl — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 12:26:36 +0000

Well. I reported all clear in June but things change in the blink of an eye. On a completely unrelated scan, an enlarged lymph node was discovered. Not the results we were hoping for from my biopsy: Kidney cancer cells (diagnosis and surgery 9 years ago) have resurfaced. I had a CT scan of pelvis/abdomen tomorrow and a brain MRI yesterday and will see an oncologist on Tuesday the 12th (the day my wife and I were supposed to return home to Ireland.) I'm really hoping no further involvement shows up in those scans.

So. We still don’t know what my treatment will be until we see the oncologist, or where I would do treatment (Iowa or Ireland). We're taking a break this weekend to see our son and daughter-in-law, then back to clinical reality.

As always, I so appreciate all your messages, prayers, light, energy, support in all kinds of ways. And as with my first surgery, I ask that there be no militaristic, battle, fight, etc. language about it. I will live into and through this, loving my body as it is. Take care ~

RCC in my remaining kidney

MeMeJoy — Sat, 21 Jun 2025 13:01:23 +0000

12 years ago I lost my left kidney. There have been a few scares along the way but now I have RCC in my right kidney. Partial nephrectomy scheduled for next week. Tumor is in the middle of my kidney and doc says there is a chance this laparoscopic robotic procure turns to an open one and 25% chance things go sideways and I end up on dialysis.
Dr told me over the phone it was RCC this time, but I won’t get the full biopsy report until the day before surgery. so I don’t know anything about type or staging. Very frustrating.

Looking for insight on what to expect after surgery. I was in the hospital for a week before, now they are saying 1 night. That seems too short. No discussion about additional treatments. Just follow-up scans.

Open Partial Nephrectomy Complications

PBibza — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 00:18:18 +0000

I had a open partial nephrectomy back in May of 2023. Very invasive. Had a rib removed and my kidney had to be reconstructed. I had a rough recuperation but slowly made progress. After 12 weeks I was back to work part time and after 5 months back full time. The problem I am having is that shortly after the 6th month mark I became swollen on the side of my surgery and my entire side because painful. My surgeon has no idea what could be going on. Says my blood work all looks good. I don't know what to do. I am constantly swollen and in constant pain . I get exhausted easily and don't have much strength. I thought that maybe I was having a reaction to foreign materials used during the procedure . Possibly the mesh holding the kidney together or maybe the multiple plugs used to control bleeding?? Again, the surgeon says no. I have an upcoming appointment with a new urologist and a nephrologist. Hoping to get some answers. Just wondering if anyone out there who has dealt with Renal cell carcinoma and had an open partial nephrectomy may have gone through something similar in terms of post-surgical complications.

small 3mm Nodule in right lung

Shecka1121 — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 14:59:02 +0000

Hi Everyone,

I have a question. I was stage 1a, 1.2 com, grade 2 rcc and i was told that my chances of recurrence were less than 5%.

Yesterday I had my annual scans and I recieved the CT portion back thus far. All blood looks good.

CT scan reveals two small 3mm solid nodules in right lung, lower and upper part.

I have read or seen over the other post that these could be benign, etc.

Has anyone had these for stage 1 and they are nothing to worry about?

Many thanks

Cryoablation and Open Partial Nephrectomy

ACS1957 — Tue, 09 May 2017 02:50:39 +0000

Hello all,

I was diagnosed with RCC about 9 months ago, and with the advice of my urologist had cryoablation done. I am 59 and healthy. All went well. On my second CT scan (6 months after the procedure) an anomoly showed up, so my urologist sent me to the head urologist at the univerisity medical center. The issue my first urologist was worried about is normal according to him, but he noted live cancer still in the kidney and recommended a partial nehprectomy. Hence I am now having another biopsy (although my new urologist said it was not really needed, as the RCC clearly showed up in the CT scan) and will have an open partial nephrectomy done on June 9. My new urologist said that because of the cryo procedure I had done, lapariscopic was not an option, due to the scar tissue. My advice for others looking is to ensure you have all your options, and maybe more importantly seek a second opinion. If I had I would probably not be facing this a second time, and could have had a much easier partial nephrectomy done laparscopically. But hey, the second time is always a charm right?

Dave

Sharing Hope: 11 Years After Kidney Cancer

foroughsh — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 06:39:41 +0000

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share my experience in hopes of bringing some encouragement. It’s been 11 years since I was treated for kidney cancer. My cancer was in my right kidney, and I had a radical nephrectomy, including removal of my kidney and adrenal gland. The tumor was 10 cm in size, confined to the kidney, stage 2, grade 2.

I’m happy to say that I’m doing very well now and have had no recurrence over these 11 years. I know a kidney cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but I hope my story can offer some hope: long-term positive outcomes are possible.

Stay strong and be gentle with yourself—take things one day at a time.

Forough

Complex kidney cyst in a child?

J23232 — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 13:39:14 +0000

Hi all, I hope it is ok to post here, but I found this site when searching for info about complex renal cysts. My child has an approximately 1cm complex cyst on his kidney with one or two "areas of septation." It is thin septation but report doesn't say how thin (ie paper thin). The urologist said they don't use Bosniak classification in children (is this true?) so I do not know where it would fall on the scale and am very confused about how common a complex cyst in a child is, what are the chances of malignancy now or in the future, etc.

We are waiting on an MRI to be scheduled.

The nephrologist said he has never seen one in a child before. The urologist thought it was a simple cyst looking at the ultrasound himself but when he asked a different radiologist it was called complex and MRI recommended. Urologist still seems very non-concerned. Everything we read online points us to being very concerned, though. However, very little information seems to be available on these cysts in children.

Very concerned about the possibility of RCC.

Would appreciate any info, advice or others' experiences with this type of cyst, especially in children. Thanks very much.

Almost 6 years clear

Mmoses25 — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 18:20:56 +0000

I got kidney cancer during Covid had to have my surgery a partial all by my self family wasn’t allowed in with me I remember being so scared well almost 6 years ago only had scans still have them because I was stage 3 with gods helpi made it so far life is back to normal I’m retired now enjoying life to the fullest my advice is don’t give up don’t let cancer win I hope and pray for the best to every one on this page

Well it’s been almost 6 years

Mmoses25 — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 18:03:20 +0000

I had a 4cm tumor and I was stage 3 and had only scans after my partial well it was scary at first it’s not so bad now I still get scans because I was stage three got to have them for ten years but life is back to normal thank god for being with me thur it but outlook looks good

There are several types of KIDNEY cancers and several types of kidney cancer cells. What kind do yo

Devastated Wife — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 00:48:09 +0000

There are several types of kidney cancer:

Renal cell carcinoma
Urothelial carcinoma (also called transitional cell carcinoma) <---- what my husband had
Sarcoma
Wilms tumor
Lymphoma

Types of kidney cancer cells:

Clear cell
Papillary <---- what my husband had
Sarcomatoid features
Angiomyolipoma
Medullary/collecting duct
Chromophobe
Oncocytoma

source: https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/kidney-cancer/introduction

======================

What is/was yours?

======================

Anyone else out there with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) also called urothelial carcinoma (UCC) in the kidney?

It's the 2nd most common type of kidney cancer. This type of cancer can happen in the bladder, ureter, urethra or kidney. It's the most common type of bladder cancer.

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transitional_cell_carcinoma

======================

Always feel love in all way 💕 never wait for someone to tell you

barey69 — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 03:41:00 +0000

Never give up

barey69 — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 13:07:02 +0000

Sometimes it feels like the world is so over with you.but I know that nothing is impossible with out God

He will come for own rescue 🛟 in time of help

Amen

Muscular pain along incision

ArleneByrnes — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 20:46:06 +0000

I had a partial nifferectomy in May 2024 and the remaining part of my kidney atrophied. I have a 10 inch incision along my left side and I have quite consistent pain along the site. It is most noticeable when I sleep and does wake me up. For example I'm in Australia and it is 445 in the morning and I have been awake for an hour with the pain. I would love any tips or guidance as to how I can improve or fix this I don't really want to take medication for the pain I would like to address the underlying muscular issue. Has anyone else had this?

Path report on husband’s new tumor and adrenal gland: Miracles do happen.

sblairc — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 19:27:28 +0000

I posted about the 4 cm ish small bowel tumor they found when my husband went for his 4 year follow up scans for his chromophobe kidney cancer diagnosis. The tumor appeared out of nowhere and was not on his CT scan from 9 months ago. We were told to expect ladenocarcinoma or another cancer, metastatic disease was less likely. While waiting several weeks for surgery, the tumor unexpectedly caused his small intestine to become fully obstruted. Yet again, we drag our daughter out of bed and rush to the ER. It was like relieving 4 years all over again. The next day they perform the surgery, and he spends 10 days in the hospital. The pathology report took 12 days, with genetic testing as well. We got an email from the oncologist stating the tumor was a rare benign tumor. The genetic testing confirmed it. He will need to have MRI’s for the rest of his life (it’s apparently common to recur) but it won‘t spread. And the small spot on his remaining adrenal gland was a non-functioning adenoma. So I’m here to say have faith.

Chromophobe RCC

klj15 — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 18:35:23 +0000

This is my first post, although I have gained a lot of useful info from everyone else's posts over the past few months. I have my 2nd scan (6 months post-op) scheduled for next Monday. My first scan was clear, and for that I am very thankful. I pray the same will be true with the next one.

My question is this - does anyone else have experience with Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma?

My tumor was found on 03/17/17 in the ER when they were scanning my lungs to see if I had a PE. The tumor was the size of a football, so the top could be seen on the chest CT. My entire left kidney and tumor were removed on 03/21/17 (it measured 17.0cm x 10.4cm x 18.9cm). The path report came back Stage pT3a with the Chromophobe RCC type. My doctor told me that Chromophobe RCC has a very low recurrence rate.

I had 2 follow up visits - 1 to have my staples removed, and 1 after my first scans. Oncology refused to see me because I did not have any mets. I follow up with the new/replacement Urologist in September. I'm not sure if I'm just lucky that I don't need more intensive follow up, or if something is missing. Any input from folks with the same diagnosis would be welcomed.

Thank you!

My Story

rhominator — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 20:14:52 +0000

Hi All,

I've been occationally looking at this forum for the past two years, and I thought it was time to share my story for the benefit of others. I'll be succinct. I'm male, 55yrs, and have been physically active all my life. So, for the record:

2012: Pee'd blood, kidney pain. Went to clinic, thought to be kidney stone(s). Got pain meds and "pee filter" to capture stones. [never caught anything. first clue]
Summer 2013: Pain in left shoulder when riding my motorcycles. Ultimately, too much pain in arm to load dirt-bikes into truck. Went to primary care. Got Cortisone shots.
Fall 2013: No relief. Got MRI of arm. Found tumor in upper left humerous. Looked like my arm was about to fall off. Soon thereafter pee'd blood again. Got biopsies of tumor, ultrasound of kidneys, CAT scans, etc.: Stage 4 kidney cancer in right kidney with single metastasis to left humerous. Clear Cell mRCC.
December 2013: Radical nephrectomy. Not clean margins, into vena cava.
January 2014: Start radiation therapy on arm and 800mg Votient, plus Xgeva shots, and high blood pressure meds to counteract Votrient.
2014 Scans: NED, NED, NED--reduced Votrient to 400mg [side effects a little better].
Spring 2015 Scan: NED--reduced Votrient to 200mg every other day [sweet spot! side effects a lot better].
November 2015 Scan: Small spots found on liver, lungs and lymph node. Back to 800mg Votrient. [argh]

So, I've been on Votrient for about two years now. And I took Xgeva shots for about a year. I've got pretty much full use of my arm back. Back to playing guitar and riding motorcycles (but not my dirt bikes). I had two years of NED scan results. Not complaining.

God's been good to me! I've got a great wife and oncologist. I've been working the entire time [I'm a software developer], albeit with less energy and stamina due to Votrient.

Pathology Report

Bay Area Guy — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 22:49:41 +0000

Got a call from my surgeon today. He said it was chromophobe RCC. I looked that up and it's apparently a rare form of RCC, diagnosed in only 5% of cases. What's strange is that it seems to be hereditary, but neither of my parents, nor any of my four grandparents had (to my knowledge) kidney cancer. Of course, since the surgeon said it was a very non-aggressive form of the disease, maybe one or more of them had it, but something else go to them before the RCC could. My mom died of colon cancer and my dad of a combined broken heart (from my mom's passing) and from being 90 years old with COPD. His dad died your from a ruptured aorta and his mom died of what would later come to be Alzheimers complicated by breast cancer. My maternal grandmother died of Alzheimers and my paternal grandfather died because a nurse told him he was 100. He told her he didn't want to be 100, so he died the next day. Amazing what the human mind can do. At any rate, I've shown the report below for any and all to look at. Negative edges and no movement into any fat or the surrounding blood vessels or lymph nodes, so he rated the odds for success at high 90's%. I'll have a scan every six months for two years and then once a year for another two years, but that's pretty prudent.

I guess I could sum it up bay saying

WOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!

Here's the pathology report.

RENAL CELL CARCINOMA SUMMARY
Site Upper pole of the right kidney (per EPIC notes)
Specimen Type Partial nephrectomy
Focality (unifocal, multifocal) Unifocal
Tumor Type Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma
WHO/ISUP Grade (1-4) Not applicable
Sarcomatoid Differentiation Absent
Microscopic Tumor Necrosis Absent
Size (cm) 1.7 cm
Perinephric Fat Invasion Absent
Renal Sinus Fat Invasion Absent
Invasion Beyond Gerota's Fascia Absent
Renal Vein Invasion Absent
Vena Cava Invasion Absent
Lymphovascular Invasion (other than renal vein) Absent
Adrenal Gland Involvement (Direct or noncontiguous) Not present
for evaluation
Resection Margin Negative
Lymph Node Status, Hilar Not present for evaluation
Largest Metastatic Focus Not applicable
Extracapsular Extension Not applicable
Nonneoplastic kidney Mild arteriolonephrosclerosis
Distant Metastasis Not evaluated
TNM Stage (AJCC, 7th Edition) pT1a

CLINICAL HISTORY: Right renal mass.

OPERATION: Robotic right partial nephrectomy.

OPERATING ROOM CONSULTATION:
ORA: RIGHT RENAL MASS, PARTIAL NEPHRECTOMY
-- LESION 2 MM AWAY FROM PARENCHYMAL MARGIN ON GROSS EXAMINATION
(Shain/Zambrano)

GROSS DESCRIPTION: One specimen is received labeled with the
patient's name and medical record number.

The specimen labeled "right renal mass" is received fresh from the
operating room and consists of an unoriented tan-pink partial
nephrectomy specimen (6.0 g, 3.0 x 2.6 x 1.5 cm). Sectioning
reveals a circumscribed yellow-tan firm mass (1.7 x 1.7 x 1.2 cm)
with focal hemorrhage at central aspect, adjacent to the intact
overlying renal capsule and is located 0.2 cm from the resection
margin. No other lesion is recognized. The uninvolved parenchyma
is homogeneous, light tan and smooth. The resection margin is inked
black. An operating room consultation is performed. After formalin
fixation, the specimen is serially sectioned and entirely submitted
sequentially in cassettes A1 to A7, with A7 containing perpendicular
sections. Li (6/23/2016)

Has anyone had a chromophobic kidney tumor?

021021 — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 22:03:35 +0000

Radical Nephrectomy in Oct 2024 - Unsure of Next Steps

Courage33068 — Thu, 08 May 2025 17:01:09 +0000

Hello, first off, let me start out by saying that I am grateful for this community and the courage you all display.

I am hoping for some guidance on my cancer journey to better help me advocate for myself.

In October 2024, I went to the emergency room after a month of seeing small traces of urine in my blood. I was referred to an oncologist who told me it was cancer and I was then referred to a urologist who performed a radical nephrectomy to remove my entire left kidney. The result came back as Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRCC) with no spread to the the nearby lymph. I had a CT scan of my chest and abdomen performed after the surgery and they discovered 3 small nodules in my lungs. I was referred to oncology. The oncologist recommended no further treatment, except to follow up in 6 months with another scan.

In January 2025, blood returned to my urine. I went back to urology who told me it was nothing connected to the cancer surgery, but was probably my prostate. I was given finasteride and had a severe allergic reaction. They tried another prostate med, but the blood still did not stop. This cycle continued for the next several months with me going from urology, primary care, and the emergency room with no clear answers on why I still had blood in my urine.

To make a long story short, in March 2025, I found a new urologist who performed 2 follow up surgeries to my nephrectomy to remove the left ureter, which I guess had been left in after my first surgery. However, when they performed a biopsy on this, they found invasive Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC) with lymphovascular invasion identified.

I had a PET scan performed in April 2025 after the surgery and the nodules in my lungs have grown since the scan in January.

I brought all of this to a new oncologist at a cancer center (Hackensack in New Jersey) and reported being unclear on what type of cancer I have since there were 2 surgeries that revealed a different type of cancer. He recommended I return back to the original oncologist who recommended no treatment, but I begged him to keep me since he had all the information now. He agreed to do so but stated it would take him some time to get the pathology reports and scans to determine exactly what type of cancer I have.

At this point, I am very scared because so much time has transpired since my surgery and I now have a report showing clear cell with lymphovascular invasion.

Any guidance on how to proceed with my doctors would be much appreciated.

4 Years NED

Tobi — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 00:34:57 +0000

Had my 4 year follow up in June. Wanted to check in because it has been a minute. I was stage 1a and grade 1 clear cell RCC. My tumor was also partially cystic which I have been reading can be predictor for recurrence. Mine is unlikely to return. I like to post so hopefully if people are looking for info and have the same type/size/grade of tumor I did that here I am and doing fine with my 1 kidney. I am thankful everyday that it was found early. I remember my one worry was seeing my kids all graduate from HS. I have 4…since my diagnosis I have seen 1 graduate from HS and the youngest graduates this year. I have also seen 2 graduate from college….I'm thankful everyday.

Lower Heart Rate Than Before Surgery

RadRuck — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 02:57:29 +0000

Did anybody experience a lower heart rate after surgery than before it? I am one week post robotic partial nephrectomy and my heart rate is about 15 beats slower than before across the board so my resting heart rate was at low 70 now it’s in the low 60. My sleeping heart rate is a low 50s dipping into the high 40s (was in the 60s before). Heart rate during my normal walk is only getting up to about 85 before it was in the low hundreds. I have a meeting the my primary care doc tomorrow, but I was wondering if anyone else experienced something like this.