FOLLOW UP TESTS AFTER SURGERY

corey50
corey50 Member Posts: 111
edited March 2014 in Kidney Cancer #1
hi everybody,
i posted this question a few weeks ago and i was wondering if anybody else out there might have some info.
i had stage 1 rcc diagnosed in nov 08. had a full nephrectomy on left kidney done laparoscopically in dec. 08. the tumor was 4cm. about the size of a walnut.
both my urologist and my oncologist have scheduled my follow up scans and blood work for 6 mos.
did anybody else wait 6 mos after surgery, or did you all do 3 mos.
thank you for your replies.
and good health to us all.

Comments

  • rscott12345
    rscott12345 Member Posts: 6
    #2
    Follow up tests after surgery
    Hi Corey,

    I had stage 1 3cm papillary tumor removed last June and had one recheck at 6 months. My next is at one year. I think the aggressiveness and stage of your cancer determine how often you need to be checked. What grade was your tumor? I was grade 2 with 1 the best and 4 the most aggressive.

    Hope this helps.
  • bangormom
    bangormom Member Posts: 58
    #3
    rscott12345 said:

    Follow up tests after surgery
    Hi Corey,

    I had stage 1 3cm papillary tumor removed last June and had one recheck at 6 months. My next is at one year. I think the aggressiveness and stage of your cancer determine how often you need to be checked. What grade was your tumor? I was grade 2 with 1 the best and 4 the most aggressive.

    Hope this helps.

    Hi Corey and Rscott,
    I have
    Hi Corey and Rscott,

    I have heard of some getting scans every three months for the first year, and then if still not evidence of the cancer, then goes down to every 6 months for the first 5 years, after that it's usually once a year for the rest of your life. Kidney cancer isn't like the others when you hit the 5 yr mark most other cancers tend not to return, but I have heard that some folks have it come back 10 to 20yrs later as this is a sneaky beast. I am papillary type 2 stage 4 grade 4, I am 45yrs old, and have only known about me having it for 8 months. What ever tests that your doctor orders, please have them done. Oh, I don't know if you all know this, but I'll put it in anyway, the contrast dye for ct scans is very hard on the remaining kidney, so if you have the dye please ask your doctor to run the tests for kidney function before you go for the scan, and drink alot of water after to aid in the removal.

    Also if you expeirence any new bone pain please let your doctors know then a bone scan will be in order, do not take anything for granted when it comes to rcc as it can show up in the weirdest of places.

    I hope this helps too!

    Maryann
  • bob50
    bob50 Member Posts: 2
    #4
    follow up
    cory50,
    I also had my left kidney removed I had stage two cancer and ironically my surery was the same day as yours and I also do not have a follow up scan until june.
    bob50
  • donna_lee
    donna_lee Member Posts: 1,045 Member
    #5
    bob50 said:

    follow up
    cory50,
    I also had my left kidney removed I had stage two cancer and ironically my surery was the same day as yours and I also do not have a follow up scan until june.
    bob50

    cory50
    Right Kidney out in 2006 and had CT's every 3 months for a year. Recurrence in 2007 and Dr. thought that would be it and only did CT's every 6 months that second year. Wrong! Recurrence in 2008 - so now I'm on every 3 months. Or now, because of a spot on my liver, every 2 months. He prescribes Acetylcyst (mucomist) to be taken the night before and morning of the test. (It is vile tasting-I finally found that mixing it into a few ounces of Cran-Raspberry covers the taste.) It helps thin all fluids in the body and helps the kidney process the dye better. Have my next test on Monday -and as I call it, my "poopy day" since the barium sulfate goes thru me like a freight train.
    Keep your chin up. Donna Lee
  • imbkuz
    imbkuz Member Posts: 52
    #6
    bangormom said:

    Hi Corey and Rscott,
    I have
    Hi Corey and Rscott,

    I have heard of some getting scans every three months for the first year, and then if still not evidence of the cancer, then goes down to every 6 months for the first 5 years, after that it's usually once a year for the rest of your life. Kidney cancer isn't like the others when you hit the 5 yr mark most other cancers tend not to return, but I have heard that some folks have it come back 10 to 20yrs later as this is a sneaky beast. I am papillary type 2 stage 4 grade 4, I am 45yrs old, and have only known about me having it for 8 months. What ever tests that your doctor orders, please have them done. Oh, I don't know if you all know this, but I'll put it in anyway, the contrast dye for ct scans is very hard on the remaining kidney, so if you have the dye please ask your doctor to run the tests for kidney function before you go for the scan, and drink alot of water after to aid in the removal.

    Also if you expeirence any new bone pain please let your doctors know then a bone scan will be in order, do not take anything for granted when it comes to rcc as it can show up in the weirdest of places.

    I hope this helps too!

    Maryann

    Maryann,
    You always have
    Maryann,
    You always have such valuable information. It didn't even occur to me to run tests for kidney functions on remaining kidney when taking dye for ct scan. You sound like an amazing lady who is extremely proactive and helpful with this weird cancer.I have told my husband not to ignore any symptoms. You're definitely making a difference in my families life. Thank you for being you!We need you on this site as do your loved ones.I am praying for you. God Bless.
    imbkuz
  • bangormom
    bangormom Member Posts: 58
    #7
    imbkuz said:

    Maryann,
    You always have
    Maryann,
    You always have such valuable information. It didn't even occur to me to run tests for kidney functions on remaining kidney when taking dye for ct scan. You sound like an amazing lady who is extremely proactive and helpful with this weird cancer.I have told my husband not to ignore any symptoms. You're definitely making a difference in my families life. Thank you for being you!We need you on this site as do your loved ones.I am praying for you. God Bless.
    imbkuz

    Your welcome, and I did
    Your welcome, and I did forget about the mucomist that is supposed to prevent damage to the remaining kidney so I thank others for their help, none of us knows it all, it takes all of us. Thats how I have learned along the way through others, with this cancer you have to stay updated. Thanks for reading.

    Maryann
  • corey50
    corey50 Member Posts: 111
    #8
    donna_lee said:

    cory50
    Right Kidney out in 2006 and had CT's every 3 months for a year. Recurrence in 2007 and Dr. thought that would be it and only did CT's every 6 months that second year. Wrong! Recurrence in 2008 - so now I'm on every 3 months. Or now, because of a spot on my liver, every 2 months. He prescribes Acetylcyst (mucomist) to be taken the night before and morning of the test. (It is vile tasting-I finally found that mixing it into a few ounces of Cran-Raspberry covers the taste.) It helps thin all fluids in the body and helps the kidney process the dye better. Have my next test on Monday -and as I call it, my "poopy day" since the barium sulfate goes thru me like a freight train.
    Keep your chin up. Donna Lee

    DONNA-LEE
    HI DONNA LEE,
    THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP ABOUT THIS MUCOMIST, NEVER HEARD OF IT, BUT WILL DEFINITELY MENTION IT TO MY DR. BECAUSE I DO WORRY ABOUT THE DYES EFFECT ON THE ONE KIDNEY.
    GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR TEST ON MONDAY.
    MY SCAN IS COMING UP IN JUNE AND I'M ALREADY WORRYING ABOUT IT.
    TAKE CARE
    THANKS TO EVERYONE ELSE WHO REPLIED TO MY POST IT MEANS SO MUCH TO KNOW WE'RE GOING THRU THIS TOGETHER.

Discussion Boards