Transitional Cell Carcinoma metastasis to lymph nodes

krisans

My Mom was diagnosed with transitional cell carcinoma of the right kidney in June of 2008. She had her right kidney, ureter, adrenal gland and cuff of the bladder removed. The pathologist report said she had high grade TCC but that it was stage 1. Last month she had a CT that showed nodes in the pelvic area. She then had a PET scan and they found 5 nodes. There are 2 in the neck, 1 in the chest, and 2 in the pelvic area. Her oncologist feels very strongly that the TCC has metastasized but wants to do a biopsy to confirm he's not dealing with a different type of cancer. Because the only node currently large enough to biopsy is in her chest (they feel it would be too dangerous) they are waiting until one of the other nodes becomes large enough to biopsy so they can determine the right course of treatment. Because TCC is rare it is difficult to find information and I wanted to see of there is anyone else who has dealt with the same or similar circumstances. Any guidance/advice would be very helpful.

BBBUNNY777

Biopsy
Hi,
My husband has his kidney removed the cancer was contained. However 3 months later they found two spots deep in the chest. One oncolgist said it was too dangerous to do a biopsy. I did not think that was right so we went to another oncolgist and he recomended that we have the b iopsy we were scared because of what the other doctor told us but I felt in my heart that this new doctor new what he was talking about. my husband had the biopsy I even watched! it was a very smooth procedure. Unfortantly it was positive for RCC =( he will go for another pet scan at the end of this moth and then our doctor will decide what to do depending on weather it has grown or not, But I recommend having the biopsy the sooner you know the truth the better you are able to fight it. We live in fort lauderdale so if you are in the area we know the best doctors, Feel free to e mail with any questions and may God bless your mom and family as you fight this. My e mail is BBBUNNY777@aol.com

Linda ><>

krisans

BBBUNNY777 said:

Biopsy
Hi,
My husband has his kidney removed the cancer was contained. However 3 months later they found two spots deep in the chest. One oncolgist said it was too dangerous to do a biopsy. I did not think that was right so we went to another oncolgist and he recomended that we have the b iopsy we were scared because of what the other doctor told us but I felt in my heart that this new doctor new what he was talking about. my husband had the biopsy I even watched! it was a very smooth procedure. Unfortantly it was positive for RCC =( he will go for another pet scan at the end of this moth and then our doctor will decide what to do depending on weather it has grown or not, But I recommend having the biopsy the sooner you know the truth the better you are able to fight it. We live in fort lauderdale so if you are in the area we know the best doctors, Feel free to e mail with any questions and may God bless your mom and family as you fight this. My e mail is BBBUNNY777@aol.com

Linda ><>

Thank you
Linda,

Thank you so much for your response. This is a very difficult time for our whole family and it helps knowing there are others who understand what we are going through. I will speak to my mother about the possibility of talking to someone about a biopsy on the node in her chest. The waiting is very difficult. We definitely want her to get treatment sooner rather than later.

When my mother had her kidney removed, she was also told her cancer was contained, so this diagnosis came as quite a shock to us all. My mother has a wonderful attitude and I'm very proud of her for her strength. I wish I had as much strength as she does.

Please stay in touch and I will do the same. May God bless your husband and family as well, and please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Kris

BBBUNNY777

krisans said:

Thank you
Linda,

Thank you so much for your response. This is a very difficult time for our whole family and it helps knowing there are others who understand what we are going through. I will speak to my mother about the possibility of talking to someone about a biopsy on the node in her chest. The waiting is very difficult. We definitely want her to get treatment sooner rather than later.

When my mother had her kidney removed, she was also told her cancer was contained, so this diagnosis came as quite a shock to us all. My mother has a wonderful attitude and I'm very proud of her for her strength. I wish I had as much strength as she does.

Please stay in touch and I will do the same. May God bless your husband and family as well, and please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Kris

Hang in there!

Hi Kris,

It amazes me how well my husband is handling this also. But while we were deciding to have this biopsy the not knowing was tough on both of us. I know how hard it is. My husband is only 51 and I just lost my job in December when my office closed so we got hit in every direction. I am going to a cancer support group tonight because there are a lot of things I don't want to talk to my husband about because I don't want to upset him. I think he is in denial even though he knows what's going on he feels great and looks great and he isn't taking anything yet so its easer for him to push it out of his mind. My heart goes out to you and your family because I think it is so hard on us because we feel so helpless. I have been through so many emotions and while people mean well they really don't understand so I think it will be a great help to talk to someone that has been through it. I'm here if you ever just need to talk to that will understand.

Take care,
Linda <><

doghouse2

BBBUNNY777 said:

Hang in there!

Hi Kris,

It amazes me how well my husband is handling this also. But while we were deciding to have this biopsy the not knowing was tough on both of us. I know how hard it is. My husband is only 51 and I just lost my job in December when my office closed so we got hit in every direction. I am going to a cancer support group tonight because there are a lot of things I don't want to talk to my husband about because I don't want to upset him. I think he is in denial even though he knows what's going on he feels great and looks great and he isn't taking anything yet so its easer for him to push it out of his mind. My heart goes out to you and your family because I think it is so hard on us because we feel so helpless. I have been through so many emotions and while people mean well they really don't understand so I think it will be a great help to talk to someone that has been through it. I'm here if you ever just need to talk to that will understand.

Take care,
Linda <><</p>

Linda,
My husband passed
Linda,

My husband passed away 6 yrs ago from prostate cancer. I had my L kidney removed 3 years ago for RCC. Having experienced both watching a loved one go through an illness and then being diagnosed, myself, in my case it was more difficult to be the caregiver than it was to get my own diagnosis. I took care of him when he got really sick and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way, but it took alot out of me as I look back. I don't know if everyone feels like that, but I sure did. I'm glad you have a support group to share your feelings with, that is so important. I hope and pray for a good outcome for your husband and strength and comfort for you.

God Bless

Kathie

lyyams

krisans said:

Thank you
Linda,

Thank you so much for your response. This is a very difficult time for our whole family and it helps knowing there are others who understand what we are going through. I will speak to my mother about the possibility of talking to someone about a biopsy on the node in her chest. The waiting is very difficult. We definitely want her to get treatment sooner rather than later.

When my mother had her kidney removed, she was also told her cancer was contained, so this diagnosis came as quite a shock to us all. My mother has a wonderful attitude and I'm very proud of her for her strength. I wish I had as much strength as she does.

Please stay in touch and I will do the same. May God bless your husband and family as well, and please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Kris

krisans
My husband just had his kidney, ureter and was also told his cancer was contained. But we noted that the pathology report had a margin that was positibe. One doctor said no treatment and another said to try chemo. I think we will go with the chemo. I hope your mother is doing well. Will she be going on cancer treatments/

friendlygal

How is your mom doing?
Hi there!
I really hope that your mom made it and is doing fine!!
My mom will start chemo on Friday.
She had her kidney, ureter, and part of her bladder removed.
If anyone has some positive outcomes from all this drama, that would be GREAT to share!
Thanks and good luck to you all!!
friendlygal

traciebritt

friendlygal said:

How is your mom doing?
Hi there!
I really hope that your mom made it and is doing fine!!
My mom will start chemo on Friday.
She had her kidney, ureter, and part of her bladder removed.
If anyone has some positive outcomes from all this drama, that would be GREAT to share!
Thanks and good luck to you all!!
friendlygal

Hi, my mom had the same
Hi, my mom had the same surgery as your mom. She goes to the oncologist on Monday at the Cleveland Clinic to find out what kind of treatment they want to do. I was wondering how your mom did on the chemo. My mom is 63 yrs old. It is so strange that I have never heard of this kind of cancer. It helps hearing other peoples journeys with this cancer fight as well. God Bless to all of you.