1 yr since nephrectomy ct shows hematoma in the place of kidney

hannah814
hannah814 Member Posts: 8
edited March 2014 in Kidney Cancer #1
It has been 1 year since I had a full nephrectomy. I still have severe flank pain so my family dr did another CT scan and it showed a hematoma has formed in the place of my kidney. Has anyone else had this? I also have an ovarian cyst which they are removing this week to see if my flank pain could be referred pain from that. But, if my pain doesnt go away my Dr said they might have to go in and biopsy the hematoma to make sure that it is a hematoma and not something else? My nephrectomy was not needed.... had a false ct/mri reading which said I had a tumor but I didnt. I had a healthy kidney removed. Now.... the statement of "to make sure that is what it is" kinda scares me. Could have my dr removed my kidney and left the tumor? Anyhow.... if you have any info or if you developed a hematoma after your surgery ... I would greatly appreciate knowing what was done for you. Thanks in advance.
«1

Comments

  • This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • KCFighter
    KCFighter Member Posts: 50
    Hannah814, I think I've seen your previous postings talking about having a kidney removed unncessarily. Not sure if you sought a 2nd opinion at the time but, it is always wise to do so if surgery is recommended. Are you still seeing the same doctor who mistakenly took a healhty kidney? Is this who is telling you they want to do a biopsy? Personally, I would get a 2nd opinion & use that opportunity to begin a relationship with a new doctor. Good luck.
  • GregLW.
    GregLW. Member Posts: 8
    Hi,
    Firstly your nephrectomy should NOT still be giving you pain a year doen the track - unless there is another reason! I had mine done (Left) full shark bite scar September 5th. 2001 - yes mine still gives me problems because due to an HAI my muscles were destroyed along with the nerves along side the spine so my wound is hurniated similarly to a football [Us Football] along the whole wound.

    Yours should not still hurt without an identifiable cause.
    On the subject of IDENTIFIABLE how come your Doctor was sooooo wrong? Is he still allowed to practice?
    Perhaps that is why it is called a practice - sometimes I think they are precticing on me - so you aren't alone there.
    I would strongly recommend you get yourself to a centre of excellence and have a full report done - even if you don't have the cash or cover I feel sure you can find a Lawyer either on pro bonno or contingency percentage to fund your case based on the damages likely from your first Doctor!
    As for the hematoma GET A SECOND OPINION the clown who operated on your first kidney may have left something in there or inadequately sealed the vein or artery. It is stunningly unlikely your Doctor removed the health kidney but left the tumor but DO get another Doctor as you are fast running out of spares!

    Good luck - I can empathise as I now have ongoing bladder cancer and a waist measurement that went from 32" to 48" due to the operative injury.
    I'm in for a TURBT & TURP on Monday so won't be here from Sunday through Thursday.
    Good luck but don't waste time get to a centre of excellence you had a spare kidney but life doesn't come with spares. The ovarian cyst doesn't sound that threatening and I would have thought they could have that out on keyhole surgery and you'd be up and running within a week!

    Regards,
    Greg L-W.
  • kewt
    kewt Member Posts: 3
    Dear Hannah
    I am sorry to hear about your condition. I too was told that I had a hematoma that was causing my flank pain. Unfortunatly after the hematoma went away ( 1 year later ) the pain is still with me. I am not trying to be a downer, but there may be something else causing your problem and since your doctor removed a healthy kidney I would get a second or maybe a third opinion. Hope everything turns out okay. Please stay in touch since I as well have this problem.
  • rae_rae
    rae_rae Member Posts: 300 Member
    kewt said:

    Dear Hannah
    I am sorry to hear about your condition. I too was told that I had a hematoma that was causing my flank pain. Unfortunatly after the hematoma went away ( 1 year later ) the pain is still with me. I am not trying to be a downer, but there may be something else causing your problem and since your doctor removed a healthy kidney I would get a second or maybe a third opinion. Hope everything turns out okay. Please stay in touch since I as well have this problem.

    Hematoma
    I am bringing this old post out of the dusty corners to discuss my hematoma (again) and see if anyone else is having issues.

    As some of you may remember, I had the recurrence scare last summer with my first CT scan follow up six months after my radical nephrectomy of my left kidney. I had a mass around 4cm if I remember correctly. The doctors were positive it was cancer. I had a biospy and the conclusion was a hematoma. So they have been monitoring it to make sure it shrinks, and my last two CT scans showed slow shrinkage.

    So fast forward to this past couple of weeks. I have started having pain in the area where my kidney was. It is constant, just under the ribs. I also feel some pain in my back, same area. It has continued to get worse...not severe but very uncomfortable. When I walk around I tend to place my hand over the area because of the discomfort. I was due for my CT so I figured I would wait before running willy nilly off to the doctors.

    I got my results back today. The nurse called to tell me the area has remained stable instead of shrinking. Not that that is a major concern-if it had grown it would be more of a worry. I did make an appt. with my GP for next Thursday. What I am wondering is if anyone has had a hematoma that was still with them two years later. And the pain I am experiencing...any thoughts?

    I do still have nerve pain along the incision. I suppose I always will. And it is still painful to get up and turn over from lying prone. It's more annoying than anything else. But this pain is new ...or new again...

    Somedays I wonder if I will ever be free of surgery pain.

    Rae
  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    rae_rae said:

    Hematoma
    I am bringing this old post out of the dusty corners to discuss my hematoma (again) and see if anyone else is having issues.

    As some of you may remember, I had the recurrence scare last summer with my first CT scan follow up six months after my radical nephrectomy of my left kidney. I had a mass around 4cm if I remember correctly. The doctors were positive it was cancer. I had a biospy and the conclusion was a hematoma. So they have been monitoring it to make sure it shrinks, and my last two CT scans showed slow shrinkage.

    So fast forward to this past couple of weeks. I have started having pain in the area where my kidney was. It is constant, just under the ribs. I also feel some pain in my back, same area. It has continued to get worse...not severe but very uncomfortable. When I walk around I tend to place my hand over the area because of the discomfort. I was due for my CT so I figured I would wait before running willy nilly off to the doctors.

    I got my results back today. The nurse called to tell me the area has remained stable instead of shrinking. Not that that is a major concern-if it had grown it would be more of a worry. I did make an appt. with my GP for next Thursday. What I am wondering is if anyone has had a hematoma that was still with them two years later. And the pain I am experiencing...any thoughts?

    I do still have nerve pain along the incision. I suppose I always will. And it is still painful to get up and turn over from lying prone. It's more annoying than anything else. But this pain is new ...or new again...

    Somedays I wonder if I will ever be free of surgery pain.

    Rae

    pain
    rae-rae, that sounds just like my current pain. Continual. Under ribs on both sides. Sometimes it gets acute. I'm Back to percocets. I'll see what the radiation MD says on monday. I had a god sized hematoma after surgery that lasted for several months but it went away.
  • rae_rae
    rae_rae Member Posts: 300 Member
    foxhd said:

    pain
    rae-rae, that sounds just like my current pain. Continual. Under ribs on both sides. Sometimes it gets acute. I'm Back to percocets. I'll see what the radiation MD says on monday. I had a god sized hematoma after surgery that lasted for several months but it went away.

    Thanks Fox
    I am glad to have read your pain has decreased a bit. I am still reading and thank you for your positive attitude. Whenever I need an attitude adjustment, I just come here.

    I saw my GP today and as I figured, she recommended I go see my oncologist. I haven't seen him in almost a year. Laziness/hopeful thinking on my part - I just haven't wanted to go back. Anyhow, I obtained a copy of my radiology report, which I will post the impression here for anyone to take a stab at. There really doesn't appear to be anything too unusal. My doc said most hematomas will resolve within six months. She does think it's unusual for mine to be going on two years but also said it's a better question for a surgeon.

    Impression:
    1. Stable 4mm right lower lobe nodule, as described above (rt lower lobe along the major fissure)
    2. No enlarged thoracic, abdominal, or pelvic lymph nodes :-)
    3. No significant interval change within the previously identified soft tissue within the posterior left renal fossa. Findings are still concerning for residual/recurrent disease. The current measurements are smaller than the prior studies, however it is difficult to delineate the boundaries of this mass as it does abut the spleen. (it orginally was 5cm x 3cm last year, its 3cm x 2.8cm now, with shrinkage only a couple of mm from six months ago scan)
    4.Stable region of fat stranding within the anterior aspect of the left lower quadrant. Findings may be postoperative (does this mean scar tissue?)
    5. Stable right renal cyst (12mm, upper pole, also 5 mm interpolar region, low-attenuation lesion too small to characterize).

    From my understanding, the cysts and nodule are unchanging. I am trying to figure out why I have had an increase in pain. Could the mass be irritating nearby organs? Any opinions appreciated. I will make an appt. with my oncologist soon.

    Many thanks
    Rae
  • garym
    garym Member Posts: 1,647
    rae_rae said:

    Thanks Fox
    I am glad to have read your pain has decreased a bit. I am still reading and thank you for your positive attitude. Whenever I need an attitude adjustment, I just come here.

    I saw my GP today and as I figured, she recommended I go see my oncologist. I haven't seen him in almost a year. Laziness/hopeful thinking on my part - I just haven't wanted to go back. Anyhow, I obtained a copy of my radiology report, which I will post the impression here for anyone to take a stab at. There really doesn't appear to be anything too unusal. My doc said most hematomas will resolve within six months. She does think it's unusual for mine to be going on two years but also said it's a better question for a surgeon.

    Impression:
    1. Stable 4mm right lower lobe nodule, as described above (rt lower lobe along the major fissure)
    2. No enlarged thoracic, abdominal, or pelvic lymph nodes :-)
    3. No significant interval change within the previously identified soft tissue within the posterior left renal fossa. Findings are still concerning for residual/recurrent disease. The current measurements are smaller than the prior studies, however it is difficult to delineate the boundaries of this mass as it does abut the spleen. (it orginally was 5cm x 3cm last year, its 3cm x 2.8cm now, with shrinkage only a couple of mm from six months ago scan)
    4.Stable region of fat stranding within the anterior aspect of the left lower quadrant. Findings may be postoperative (does this mean scar tissue?)
    5. Stable right renal cyst (12mm, upper pole, also 5 mm interpolar region, low-attenuation lesion too small to characterize).

    From my understanding, the cysts and nodule are unchanging. I am trying to figure out why I have had an increase in pain. Could the mass be irritating nearby organs? Any opinions appreciated. I will make an appt. with my oncologist soon.

    Many thanks
    Rae

    Good to hear from you...
    Hi Rae,

    Purely a layman here, but what stands out to me no enlargement, no change, and stable, stable, stable. Seems to have all the ingredients of a good report. Hopefully the scanman will pick up on your post and give you a professional's opinion.

    Hang in there,

    Gary
  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    garym said:

    Good to hear from you...
    Hi Rae,

    Purely a layman here, but what stands out to me no enlargement, no change, and stable, stable, stable. Seems to have all the ingredients of a good report. Hopefully the scanman will pick up on your post and give you a professional's opinion.

    Hang in there,

    Gary

    stable
    Rae-rae, I lost my post but I read the same thing. Stable disease. You are not dying from cancer. You are LIVING with it. Some day in the future when you pass, it probably will not have been from kidney cancer. It may still be scarey for the rookies on board but for us veterans that is excellent news. My wife and I had just been discussing this very thing. I remember when I met my current oncologist, she asked me if I would be happy if I could remain the same and not get worse even if she didn't "cure" me. I said "Damn YES!" Still feel the same about it.
  • rae_rae
    rae_rae Member Posts: 300 Member
    foxhd said:

    stable
    Rae-rae, I lost my post but I read the same thing. Stable disease. You are not dying from cancer. You are LIVING with it. Some day in the future when you pass, it probably will not have been from kidney cancer. It may still be scarey for the rookies on board but for us veterans that is excellent news. My wife and I had just been discussing this very thing. I remember when I met my current oncologist, she asked me if I would be happy if I could remain the same and not get worse even if she didn't "cure" me. I said "Damn YES!" Still feel the same about it.

    Thanks
    Fox and Gary,
    Thank you for your replies. Yes i agree it's a good report! I hope to get some answers on my mass/pain once i see my oncologist
  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    rae_rae said:

    Thanks
    Fox and Gary,
    Thank you for your replies. Yes i agree it's a good report! I hope to get some answers on my mass/pain once i see my oncologist

    Stable
    Rae, I have the same thoughts as Gary and Fox (and I couldn't ask for better company) and I'm really happy to hear your good news. I hope your oncologist can assure you that the incision pain will gradually subside and then disappear completely.
  • Healthy kidney removed
    Seems like I have heard that before
  • donna_lee
    donna_lee Member Posts: 1,041 Member

    Healthy kidney removed
    Seems like I have heard that before

    Hematoma
    You have the "classic strawberry birthmark" only it's on the inside. It is a cluster of cells that is very vascular.
    I can't explain your pain, but I was diagnosed with one in the lower R. liver. It had showed up on a post nephrectomy CT and was causing concern because the original cancer had metastacised to the left half of my liver.
    I went thru a series of frequent ultrasounds, with one that spent a great deal of time doing pix of the designated area. They could watch it fill and empty with the heart beat.

    Now that they know it's there, they still can't/don't see any need to examine or remove it.

    Good luck on tracking down your flank pain. Guess I was really lucky in that I didn't have that type of symptom.
    Donna
  • rae_rae
    rae_rae Member Posts: 300 Member
    donna_lee said:

    Hematoma
    You have the "classic strawberry birthmark" only it's on the inside. It is a cluster of cells that is very vascular.
    I can't explain your pain, but I was diagnosed with one in the lower R. liver. It had showed up on a post nephrectomy CT and was causing concern because the original cancer had metastacised to the left half of my liver.
    I went thru a series of frequent ultrasounds, with one that spent a great deal of time doing pix of the designated area. They could watch it fill and empty with the heart beat.

    Now that they know it's there, they still can't/don't see any need to examine or remove it.

    Good luck on tracking down your flank pain. Guess I was really lucky in that I didn't have that type of symptom.
    Donna

    quick update
    I saw my oncologist last week, and he was at a loss to why the mass is taking so long to shrink. He thought maybe it was a seroma (mass filled with serum or fluid is what he said). Previously diagnosed as a hematoma last year (mass with blood) by biospy. He wanted me to see my urologist to get another opinion, so I saw him today.

    He also said he wasn't sure why it's taking so long and perhaps there was some packing material mixed in (to stop the bleeding when my spleen was nicked). Option A: let them poke around with a scope for a better look (and make sure the intestines weren't damaged) and maybe surgically remove the mass or Option B: wait and see what the next six months brings (hopefully more shrinkage and the pain will go away). I opted for B - if the pain doesn't decrease or increases then I will go in for a look see. In the meantime I will deal with the packing peanuts left behind!
  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    rae_rae said:

    quick update
    I saw my oncologist last week, and he was at a loss to why the mass is taking so long to shrink. He thought maybe it was a seroma (mass filled with serum or fluid is what he said). Previously diagnosed as a hematoma last year (mass with blood) by biospy. He wanted me to see my urologist to get another opinion, so I saw him today.

    He also said he wasn't sure why it's taking so long and perhaps there was some packing material mixed in (to stop the bleeding when my spleen was nicked). Option A: let them poke around with a scope for a better look (and make sure the intestines weren't damaged) and maybe surgically remove the mass or Option B: wait and see what the next six months brings (hopefully more shrinkage and the pain will go away). I opted for B - if the pain doesn't decrease or increases then I will go in for a look see. In the meantime I will deal with the packing peanuts left behind!

    WOW
    I would wait a little longer too. But if there is something in there that was left behind.....WOW again. I never expect that kind of mistake.
  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    rae_rae said:

    quick update
    I saw my oncologist last week, and he was at a loss to why the mass is taking so long to shrink. He thought maybe it was a seroma (mass filled with serum or fluid is what he said). Previously diagnosed as a hematoma last year (mass with blood) by biospy. He wanted me to see my urologist to get another opinion, so I saw him today.

    He also said he wasn't sure why it's taking so long and perhaps there was some packing material mixed in (to stop the bleeding when my spleen was nicked). Option A: let them poke around with a scope for a better look (and make sure the intestines weren't damaged) and maybe surgically remove the mass or Option B: wait and see what the next six months brings (hopefully more shrinkage and the pain will go away). I opted for B - if the pain doesn't decrease or increases then I will go in for a look see. In the meantime I will deal with the packing peanuts left behind!

    seroma
    Rae, I'm in a somewhat similar situation so we'll have to keep comparing notes. My guess is that the sarcomatoid change is reponsible and let's hope there's progress soon in knowing how to handle the consequences!
  • angec
    angec Member Posts: 924 Member
    rae_rae said:

    Thanks Fox
    I am glad to have read your pain has decreased a bit. I am still reading and thank you for your positive attitude. Whenever I need an attitude adjustment, I just come here.

    I saw my GP today and as I figured, she recommended I go see my oncologist. I haven't seen him in almost a year. Laziness/hopeful thinking on my part - I just haven't wanted to go back. Anyhow, I obtained a copy of my radiology report, which I will post the impression here for anyone to take a stab at. There really doesn't appear to be anything too unusal. My doc said most hematomas will resolve within six months. She does think it's unusual for mine to be going on two years but also said it's a better question for a surgeon.

    Impression:
    1. Stable 4mm right lower lobe nodule, as described above (rt lower lobe along the major fissure)
    2. No enlarged thoracic, abdominal, or pelvic lymph nodes :-)
    3. No significant interval change within the previously identified soft tissue within the posterior left renal fossa. Findings are still concerning for residual/recurrent disease. The current measurements are smaller than the prior studies, however it is difficult to delineate the boundaries of this mass as it does abut the spleen. (it orginally was 5cm x 3cm last year, its 3cm x 2.8cm now, with shrinkage only a couple of mm from six months ago scan)
    4.Stable region of fat stranding within the anterior aspect of the left lower quadrant. Findings may be postoperative (does this mean scar tissue?)
    5. Stable right renal cyst (12mm, upper pole, also 5 mm interpolar region, low-attenuation lesion too small to characterize).

    From my understanding, the cysts and nodule are unchanging. I am trying to figure out why I have had an increase in pain. Could the mass be irritating nearby organs? Any opinions appreciated. I will make an appt. with my oncologist soon.

    Many thanks
    Rae

    Did scan light up?
    Hi Rae Rae....did the scan light up in the area of hematomas? I noticed you said at first they swore it was cancer. My mom had surgery in march and her first six month scan shows two small masses adjacent to the clips on both sides where the kidney was. Was wondering if they can tell the difference. I noticed you got a biopsy. Would that somehow account for it being smaller? I hope things work out I your favor.
  • angec
    angec Member Posts: 924 Member

    seroma
    Rae, I'm in a somewhat similar situation so we'll have to keep comparing notes. My guess is that the sarcomatoid change is reponsible and let's hope there's progress soon in knowing how to handle the consequences!

    Seromas
    Hi TW...how are you? Have you had any recent scans? What is this Seroma? I heard talk of that as well with mom. Hope you are doing well. Glad to see that Fox is doing great! I hope the new areas of interest are taken care of with the additional drug they gave him. Not to get off of the subject but i saw an Interesting article that I will post soon, about a virus that attacks the cancer.
  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    angec said:

    Seromas
    Hi TW...how are you? Have you had any recent scans? What is this Seroma? I heard talk of that as well with mom. Hope you are doing well. Glad to see that Fox is doing great! I hope the new areas of interest are taken care of with the additional drug they gave him. Not to get off of the subject but i saw an Interesting article that I will post soon, about a virus that attacks the cancer.

    Seromas
    Yes, it's very inspiring to see how well Fox is doing. Looking forward to seeing that article. I did, indeed, have a CT a couple of weeks ago - awaiting team analysis next week but it's thrown all of the balls up in the air - large new fluid accumulation, rapid increase in lymphadenopathy, chronic scarring in lungs - not exactly what we were hoping for. However, it all serves to reduce the survivor guilt :)
  • angec
    angec Member Posts: 924 Member

    Seromas
    Yes, it's very inspiring to see how well Fox is doing. Looking forward to seeing that article. I did, indeed, have a CT a couple of weeks ago - awaiting team analysis next week but it's thrown all of the balls up in the air - large new fluid accumulation, rapid increase in lymphadenopathy, chronic scarring in lungs - not exactly what we were hoping for. However, it all serves to reduce the survivor guilt :)

    TW recent scan
    Hi TW, what a sigh of relief that you get a break from the survivor guilt! ;) Do you scan every three months now? I was not aware of the nodes issue. Are they just swollen or do they have suv readings? Mom might have hematomas also, but her first scan was in August since her surgery in march. She has two small nodes in her lungs and the two nodes by the kidney are there so it appears the surgeon didn't remove them after all. One is now 3 cm and the other 2 cm by the surgical clips. We are trying to figure out if the lung nodes were there before the surgery. The homeopathic seems to have slowed the growth. We will know better after the scan in November. Our doctor is not one for discussion so I want to take mom to Sloan for her next visit. I asked him questions and he got very defensive and I could tell he was uneasy. I was asking about the masses if they could be hematomas because I have heard that it happens and when it does the docs always think the worse. To what do they attribute the lung scarring?

    I cannot find the article I was going to post but this one will give a general idea.
    http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/31/us-cancer-virus-idUSTRE77U4NC20110831

    In the meantime how is golf treating you?