Questions

Measurements

Angie,

Kidney masses are usually measured in cm, not inches. A 3.4 cm mass is small with usually an excellent prognosis. 3.4 inches is much more challanging. Get a copy of your prior  and current CT reports to verify that we are talking about cm. not inches and we can all be on the same page.

 

Icemantoo

Take a breath...

I had left kidney removed in April through incidental find. The diagnosis takes your breath away. The scariest thing in my life was being told " You have Cancer". My GP referred me to a Urologist Surgeon who has done hundreds of procedures.. my wife and I knew we wanted him to do my Surgery. Many here will recommend to find a Surgeon/Doctor experienced in Kidney Cancer. Many also recommend a second opinion if your not comfortable with your diagnosis. Its your health and you need the correct information. You have come to the right place. There is a wealth of information here with some of the most incredible people. Ask any questions on anything you can and it should be answered. I would recommend to search on here from past posts and you will see that we have all been where you are. The procedure is not fun but the anticipation was worse than the surgery. Its hard but don't let it consume you, try and relax. Your not alone in this.

In the same boat

Your story sounds very similar to mine. I'm 45 and just had a 3.6 cm solid mass diagnosed in June. The CT was for stomach pain that was unrelated to the kidney mass so mine was also found incidentally. I was referred to a urologist who sent me for another CT with and without contrast. My doctor told me that although statistically most solid kidney masses are cancerous there is still a chance that mine could be a benign growth. The CT with and without contrast was supposed to help clarify that question. The 2nd CT did not reveal anything that would lead him to believe it was benign but even so, there could still be a chance that is is a tumor called an oncocytoma which is benign. Even if the growth is not benign my doctor assured me that small tumors like ours can usually be taken care of with surgery and have a low chance of recurrence or spread. I will be having a partial nephrectomy in two days. My surgeon is going to do the partial nephrectomy (which removes the tumor and part of the kidney) robotically with the Da Vinci. I have read that that is an excellent way to remove the growth because the recovery is much less painful. It has been and still is a very frightening thing to go through. If my pathology report comes back as renal cell carcinoma (even low grade) I plan on consulting with an urologic oncologist or medical oncologist just to ease my mind although many urologists it seems think that is unecessary for stage 1 low grade tumors which mine and yours hopefully will be. If you haven't seen your urologist yet read up on questions and concerns to ask about but be cautiously skeptical about what you read. I've read some very scary statistics but as someone on this board (as well as my urologist) pointed out, most the statistics are based old data often in older populations who may have had other complicating factors. Treatment of renal cancer has come a long way in the last few years. If after your urology appointment you have more questions make sure to call or email your doctor or set up another appointment. A lot of doctor's offices use patient portals that allow you to send emails to your doctor. I've found that I get better and quicker response that way rather than waiting for a receptionist to give him a message and him to call me back. Additionally, ask questions on this forum. These folks have been very responsive to my posts and have answered many questions. This diagnosis stinks and knocks the wind out of you but hopefully we'll make it through.

Differences

Angie--in my opinion, don't worry about the slight difference in size of the mass in the scans.  My preliminary scan and ultrasound had my mass at almost 6 cm, but my pathology report had the mass at 5.3 cm.  Doctor told me they're looking at pictures and the angles varies.  Also, I'd skip the biopsy and just get the mass out of there.  They can take out the node during surgery ( plus a few more) and test it.  

Best wishes,

Stub

Angiebby75 said:

Icemantoo it is cm but it

Icemantoo it is cm but it varied 3.4 and 4.4 on two test. 

Sounds a lot better in cm

You will be fine

 

Icemantoo

Angiebby75 said:

Thank you all for all the

Thank you all for all the info. I just left the appt today. Still more questions. So the mass is 3.4 cm on ultrasound and 4.4 cm on ct. How the difference? The first appointment the Dr said the radiologist noted slight enlargement aortic lymp nodes. But stated he didnt see where that was and wasnt a concern. The ultrasound did not note this either. I don't even know if an ultrasound would. At todays appt he said after talking to the radiologist that read the ct he kind of agreed with the slight notation of lymp node possiblity. He recommends a biopsy of the lymp node and of the kidney he said to determine what the mass was and to test the lymp node. He really didn't seem sure of the lymp node issue and had once said he didn't see anything the radiologist had seen in that regards. I ask him about the stage he it look good for stage 1 but the lymp node was a question. I'm really confused. He said all other chest CT and urine test were fine. I am so overwhelmed. Should I get biopsy I read that it not really good to do. I been referred to interventional radiologist for the biopsy. What is the true benefit of the biopsy. I think he said to determine partial or not Is this typical. Can a lympnode be enlarged for other reasons. 

It sounds like there are some complexities here. . .

So it sounds like you may have some complexities here. All the more reason to get a second opinion if you can at the Cleveland Clinic and/or if you feel like the doctor isn't sure. A kidney cancer EXPERT is the best doctor in these situations. If you are feeling less than convinced of your doctors (which I sense that you are) you should get a second opinion from an expert in kidney cancer. 

My husband definitely had to

My husband definitely had to have a biopsy.  They had to be positive that it was renal cell and not transitional cell.  It wouldn't have been the same surgery if it was transitional cell.  They would have had to remove the kidney, and ureter, all the way down to the bladder.  It was impossible to tell from several CT scans.  Contrary to popular belief, biopsies on the kidneys are done all the time (if need be).

Hi! Just Got my Pathology Report

Hi! Already 3 weeks passed from my surgical. Before the surgical my CT scan showed i had a mass 4.6 cm on my left kidney and now my Pathology report stated is 4 cm. So, is it really hard to know the actual size till they removed it and analysis it.

Before the surgical i had a discussed with my Urology doctor (and also google alot online) it is the best to save as much as your healthy kidney. But again this option is limited to the stages and location of the tumor(As mentions by stub1969). i had a laparoscopic partial kidney nephrectomy (LPN), again this surgical required a skillful and experiences surgeon.

Today during my follow up, I almost burst to tears..... during my ultrasound scan, I can still see my left kidney is still there and working fine.......

You can try this link where they explained in quite details of the kidney cancer and treatments...  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=493RFA_tA1I&t=445s

All the best to you...