Renal cancer and osteoparosis

Srashedb

I have posted this to Smart Patients last week and my question may have gotten lost since no one responded.

my husband was dx in July, 2013 with stage 4, clear cell carcinoma, grade 2. It is stage 4 because he had 2 spinal mets, one which was treated with laminectomy and the other with cyberknife. His last scans have been clean but with degeneration in shoulders and back of knees noted.

He does not take Xygeva or Zometa because his oncologist does not want to tamper with the bone growth in the two treated mets. the oncologist suggested a bone density test but it is not covered because he is male and under 70.

he is scheduled for bone scan and chestne  scan tomorrow and of course, the anxiety is there (mostly for me). He has had discomfort on his shoulders and some limitations on neck rotation, all which have so far been considered degeneration.

My questions are: 1) is there a known connection between degeneration/osteoparosis and clear cell renal cancer; and

2) is osteoparosis/degeneration something that can develop as metastasis?

we were on a weekend trip with no internet connection so I am only now posting my question here.

i am so hoping someone is still up at this hour that can provide some information. Since we are on PDT, most of you are probably in bed.

sarah

foxhd

degenerative joints

Sarah, I don't understand your doctors rational re: zometa. It is used when there is bone mets. Even when zapped. I think that is the point of the drug. I've been on it since 2011. After radiation. However, I have also experienced significant cervical joint degeneration. My vertebrae are loaded with spurs, degenerative changes, and narrowing of joint spaces. I have had nerve root impingment with severe pain, numbness, and weakness of my right upper extremity. I am unable to raise my right arm. This was all just confirmed with MRI. I was afraid of new mets when the pain and weakness got untolerable. At this point I will cont. taking percocets and will try to wait it out. I have had cervical spine surgery in the past and I am not new to the risks. But since I no longer work, I've got the time to hopefully recover. I am also interested in others take on this.

Srashedb

foxhd said:

degenerative joints

Sarah, I don't understand your doctors rational re: zometa. It is used when there is bone mets. Even when zapped. I think that is the point of the drug. I've been on it since 2011. After radiation. However, I have also experienced significant cervical joint degeneration. My vertebrae are loaded with spurs, degenerative changes, and narrowing of joint spaces. I have had nerve root impingment with severe pain, numbness, and weakness of my right upper extremity. I am unable to raise my right arm. This was all just confirmed with MRI. I was afraid of new mets when the pain and weakness got untolerable. At this point I will cont. taking percocets and will try to wait it out. I have had cervical spine surgery in the past and I am not new to the risks. But since I no longer work, I've got the time to hopefully recover. I am also interested in others take on this.

thanks, Fox. Your

thanks, Fox. Your degenerative and narrowing joint spaces sounds like a more advanced state than my husband but going in the same direction.

The scans in May showed some bone growth and the oncologist, at that time thought the meds would interfere with that process. He might have a different opinion after the scans he's having today.

spinal surgery is definitely a tough surgery but in his case, the alternative was collapse from the compression. In your case, do you think the degeneration is from the radiation? if it is, that might well be the case with my husband.

Thanks again, Sarah

foxhd

Srashedb said:

thanks, Fox. Your

thanks, Fox. Your degenerative and narrowing joint spaces sounds like a more advanced state than my husband but going in the same direction.

The scans in May showed some bone growth and the oncologist, at that time thought the meds would interfere with that process. He might have a different opinion after the scans he's having today.

spinal surgery is definitely a tough surgery but in his case, the alternative was collapse from the compression. In your case, do you think the degeneration is from the radiation? if it is, that might well be the case with my husband.

Thanks again, Sarah

degeneration

Sarah, it is my cervical spine that is degenerating. Radiation was to my thoracic spine and ribs. They appear to be ok. I decided to start taking glucosomine/chondritin and see how I will do with that. Maybe I'm just getting as old as Donna. In any event, I will wait as long as possible to see how I will do. Much of the day(and night), I am near my limit of tolerance and think I need to see a neurosurgeon. But I am also thinking that the worst is over. Hopefully my right arm strength returns. About 12 years ago I had cervical disc surgery. My weakness was much worse. It took 18 months to return to normal. I've got the time. I do think that I'll get there.