Genetic Testing Results

stub1969
stub1969 Member Posts: 966 Member
in Kidney Cancer #1

I just heard from my doctor about my genetic testing results.  Here they are: "extended cancer panel including 83 cancer genes was normal, no pathogenic variants were confirmed."  This is good news...of sorts.  I went the genetic testing route as a way to find the "why" of my cancer diagnosis.  I'm still left wondering.  I've come to the conclusion that I have to accept that it just happened...no one or nothing to blame except bad luck. 

Have a great day everybody!

Stub  

Comments

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #2
    Just like most of us.

    See if Vegas will post odds like for politics and sports.

     

     

     

     

    icemantoo

     

  • Manufred
    Manufred Member Posts: 241 Member
    #3
    Bad Luck

    Good result - no-one to blame, not even yourself.

    It just happens sometimes.  Good to see you had the genes checked, all the same.

    Best Wishes, Fred

  • ChristineCD
    ChristineCD Member Posts: 11
    #4
    Same

    I understand the need to "know"- I did a similar test for peace of mind, and like you, everything was "normal"- so things just happen- just need to figure out a way to prevent it from happening again! 

  • AliceB1950
    AliceB1950 Member Posts: 237 Member
    #5
    I've had four different

    I've had four different cancers and the genetic testing showed nothing, even with my dad having kidney cancer (me, too), my mom having breast cancer (me, too), my maternal grandmother having uterine cancer (me, too), and my dad and paternal grandmother with skin cancer (me, too).   Of course, my insurance would only pay for the more basic levels of testing.  I think some of us are just crap magnets.

  • Steph85
    Steph85 Member Posts: 166 Member
    #6
    I did genetic testing to. I

    I did genetic testing to. I thought I had some kind of defect because my mom and both my Grandmas died from cancer. But, no.. Genetic testing was all negative. Still wondering why my kidneys? Was it because I was taking NSAIDs for all my pain issues? Still crazy to think about. So... Just except it I guess. It is what it is. 

    Take care stub,

    Steph

  • donna_lee
    donna_lee Member Posts: 1,042 Member
    #7
    Sometimes we are looking for a "reason"

    50 some years ago, a young woman from this community developed breast cancer.  Her mother blamed it on the fact that she carried heavy law books (while in law school) like we did before backppacks, cradled against our chests.  Another old wives tale shot down.

    The more you dig, you find out that everyone has the capacity to develop cancer, but our immune system and circumstances don't allow it to proceed.

    So did the fact that I used Roundup to kill invasive weeds on our property cause my RCC-I doubt it.

    It's nice to know your genetic test came back OK.  Now you can't blame a relative for passing a bad gene on to you.  Hope that makes you feel better.

    Hugs,

    donna_lee

  • MizzouFan
    MizzouFan Member Posts: 10
    #8
    Genetic Study

    I don’t want to bore people with my genetic testing results, anyone who has tried to read one of these studies knows what I am taking about. My results and my cancer history, validated the study models for predicting gene types and a long-stable cancer growth. From what I have read the models are coming to together, and true progress from understanding genetic makeup and using it as reliable predicter for outcomes and treatments may be a realistic goal. Rome was not built in day.

  • eug91
    eug91 Member Posts: 471 Member
    #9
    got my results-

    I got my genetic testing results today. Same as everyone else - no gene mutations. I was happy about the results. My kids don't have to worry that they're gonna inherit anything. 

    Interesting that the doc was prepared for me to be upset about the results coming back as clear. I guess some people prefer a definitive answer of "Yes, this probably caused the cancer" - even if that answer is bad news.

    Anyways, I'm glad I got it done. Onward.

  • AnnissaP
    AnnissaP Member Posts: 632 Member
    #10
    I had it done and one gene

    I had it done and one gene came back changed but had a "variance of unknown significance." Basically a genetic mutation, but they don't know what or why. It turns out it is the gene that causes kidney cancer. My oncologist even found the results strange.

  • a_oaklee
    a_oaklee Member Posts: 566 Member
    #11
    I have read that there is a

    I have read that there is a prevalence to develop RCC with certain occupations.  Weve discussed this here before that so many guys are gearheads and bikers, ex military.  The other occupations include ex military, fire fighters, agriculture and welders.  My husband is ex-military, welds, car guy, and uses RoundUp weekly for so many years I cant say.  Probably since it was invented.  So we really believe its environmental.  There is no cancer in his family.

  • Manufred
    Manufred Member Posts: 241 Member
    edited September 2019 #12
    a_oaklee said:

    I have read that there is a

    I have read that there is a prevalence to develop RCC with certain occupations.  Weve discussed this here before that so many guys are gearheads and bikers, ex military.  The other occupations include ex military, fire fighters, agriculture and welders.  My husband is ex-military, welds, car guy, and uses RoundUp weekly for so many years I cant say.  Probably since it was invented.  So we really believe its environmental.  There is no cancer in his family.

    Occupational exposures

    I have also touched on this in the past.

    I am an industrial chemist working a lot with paints (protective coatings). What that has in common with rev-heads is hydrocarbon solvents, or what they call gasoline. etc.

    You never know what has caused a particular cancer, but there are statistical figures showing painters (and related occupations such as myself) have a higher incidence of all sorts of cancers.

    Mine was found by an unrelated US, and I have often thougt that anyone working with solvents should perhaps be regularly screened by US for suspicious lumps in vital organs.

    Food for thought.

    Best Wishes, Fred

     

     

  • Angiebby75
    Angiebby75 Member Posts: 208 Member
    #13
    I have a refferal for gentic

    I have a refferal for gentic testing waiting on the appoitment.

  • Angiebby75
    Angiebby75 Member Posts: 208 Member
    #14
    Manufred said:

    Occupational exposures

    I have also touched on this in the past.

    I am an industrial chemist working a lot with paints (protective coatings). What that has in common with rev-heads is hydrocarbon solvents, or what they call gasoline. etc.

    You never know what has caused a particular cancer, but there are statistical figures showing painters (and related occupations such as myself) have a higher incidence of all sorts of cancers.

    Mine was found by an unrelated US, and I have often thougt that anyone working with solvents should perhaps be regularly screened by US for suspicious lumps in vital organs.

    Food for thought.

    Best Wishes, Fred

     

     

    Manfred, I have a question

    Manfred, I have a question about paints. I am a crafter and want to start using epoxy resin to make projects. But I am not sure how safe it is. Do you anything about art resin.

  • Angie1496
    Angie1496 Member Posts: 154
    #15
    I joined the two timer club

    I joined the two timer club last week.  I have a new occurrence of RCC in my left kidney.  My first was in the right kidney and was stage 1 grade 2. I will be having genetic testing once I have healed from surgery.  However I took large amounts of Nsaids a good bit of my life and have to wonder it that is the reason it happened. 

     

  • donna_lee
    donna_lee Member Posts: 1,042 Member
    #16
    That's why they call it a re-occurence.

    The errant cells had already metastasized from the original site, but hadn't grown large enough to cause it to show up.  That's what happened to me, twice.  The original surgery in 2006 said good by to R. Kidney, left lobe of my liver, the set of nodes behind the removed kidney-all positive for cancer.  They also took out a defective gall bladder and duct and several slices of the R side of my liver to examine.

    Wait a year and the comparison CT's of Feb and May showed a node enlarging.  More surgery in 2007.  Wait another year and the same story in 2008.

    You and your dr's seem to have caught it early so let's hope all turns out well.

    Hugs, donna_lee

  • Manufred
    Manufred Member Posts: 241 Member
    #17
    Angiebby75 said:

    Manfred, I have a question

    Manfred, I have a question about paints. I am a crafter and want to start using epoxy resin to make projects. But I am not sure how safe it is. Do you anything about art resin.

    Good Question

    Epoxy resins have two components.

     

    The epoxy-functional resin is usually based on Di-Glycidyl Ether of Bisphenol A (DGEBA), which is suspected of being an endocrine disruptor as an environmental poison, but does not seem to hurt adult humans all that much.

    The curing agent is  usually an amine-functional compound (smells a bit like ammonia) which is classified as a corrosive agent but the real problem is skin sensitisation.  Read up on it.

    Personally I think all chemicals are potential hazards but can be used safely once you recognise what they can do and how to protect yourself.

    Enjoy and be safe, Fred

     

  • Magnoliahiker
    Magnoliahiker Member Posts: 6
    #18
    Testing scheduled

    I have testing scheduled and find all of your results (or lack thereof) very interesting.  There is a lot of colon cancer in my family, but not kidney cancer.  I had my left kidney removed 3 months ago. I'm doing the testing in November, but mainly for the sake of my kids.  So if they find the/a gene, what can be done?  Does it just help to be able to tell your kids to get tested earlier?  Is there anything that can be done with the information?  I'm new to this so I apologize if I sound elementary here!  I don't even know the right questions to ask really!  Thanks to you all for your input and kindness.  

  • stub1969
    stub1969 Member Posts: 966 Member
    #19
    Magnoliahiker said:

    Testing scheduled

    I have testing scheduled and find all of your results (or lack thereof) very interesting.  There is a lot of colon cancer in my family, but not kidney cancer.  I had my left kidney removed 3 months ago. I'm doing the testing in November, but mainly for the sake of my kids.  So if they find the/a gene, what can be done?  Does it just help to be able to tell your kids to get tested earlier?  Is there anything that can be done with the information?  I'm new to this so I apologize if I sound elementary here!  I don't even know the right questions to ask really!  Thanks to you all for your input and kindness.  

    Purpose of the test??

    Magnolia--these are good questions, without a clear answer to some of them.  If you are stage 4 then these results can lead doctors to a treatment that may have the best chance of working.  If you are not a stage 4 then you have to reflect on why you're getting the test.  For me, it came down to these three main reasons:  1.) (and most important) to see if I had a genetic mutation that I could have passed to my children. 2.) To see if I had a genetic disposition in which I was more prone to cancer.  3.)  To find out the WHY I got cancer.

    I felt the answers to these questions would empower me and my family so that we could be more proactive in the cancer journey.  And, it would help navigate the decisions my doctors make in my treatment.

    Don't worry too much about coming in with questions.  The geneticist I met with was so good about walking me through the process and filling me in on how the results will be used.  All of the questions I came in with were answered--and then some. 

    Good luck!

    Stub  

     

  • Allochka
    Allochka Member Posts: 1,062 Member
    #20
    Hello Stub,

    Hello Stub,

    a very interesting discussion... I start wondering if I should ask my husband to get tested (not sure if we have these tests in our country). He was diagnosed with clear cell Stage 1 Grade 1 when he was 36 (4 years ago).

    36 is considered young for RCC, so perhaps we should do the testing for the sake of our daughter. Smth to think about.

    Thanks a lot for all the info

    Alla

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