taking of lymph nodes and adrenal gland ?

smurfin57

I had surgery three months ago and they didn't take my lymph nodes or adrenal gland. Said it didn't matter. It does to me. They mentioned that the survival rates are the same either way. Promising huh! Partial nephrectomy also. Good choice? I don't know. I guess you have to trust the doctors. My surgery was at Mayo clinic. Please feel free to share. Steve

lbinmsp

Everyone is different
I think the option of taking the adrenal glad is based on where your kidney tumor is located. Mine was at the very top of the kidney, encroaching on the adrenal glad so my doctor felt it was wise to remove the adrenal. As for partial versus full nephrectomy, again, a decision, I believe, based on location of the tumor. Obviously they'd like to leave you with two functioning kidneys (one whole, one partial) for any 'just in case' scenarios (kidney failure due to something else, etc.etc.). I know it's hard to trust when you're faced with this disease. The Mayo is one of the best around and have undoubtedly have a lot of experience with this disease. Bottom line, though, is that followup is critical! I had chest/abdomen/pelvis CT's every 3 months for 2 years, then every 6 months for the next 2 years and was just headed to every year when the dang RCC reared its ugly head again (mets to the lung). But because of early detection of the recurrence, I only needed surgical removal of the lower lobe and now, 3 years later, am again tumor free. Good luck to you! I know it's a hard road to travel ....