15 cm mass found on left kidney

MPH0616

22 years ago I was diagnosed with rhabfomyosarcoma. It was found in my right leg. It was really rare at the time. I had my right leg amputated- 3 times, all the way up to the hip and pelvis. I had needle biopsies, chemo, and radiation. I was only 7 years old. Fast forward of today, I started having stomach pains back in November. It always felt like I was full, even though I was just really really bloated. Finally, I woke up one morning with a huge pain on my left side. I went to the doctors. my primary care ordered a ct scan. Results came back showing a very large tumor taking over my left kidney and some of the mass going into renal vein.  Scan also showed mets on spine, liver, and lungs. The mass is on my left kidney- even though the primary cancer from 22 years ago was on the right side of my body! The kidney mass is 15cm in length by 10 cm in width. I did have a PET scan done. Sure enough everything showed mets (Kidney, liver, lungs, and spine). I'm so nervous!!! I have an oncologist urologist at U of M Ann Arbor. He is doing a kidney biopsy on Thursday. What could this mass be? How did it get so large and the only symptoms I had was; uncomfortable when passing gas, and flank pain?

foroughsh

I'm so sorry, it's shocking

I'm so sorry, it's shocking news especially for a patient as young as you. My tumor was found 29 months ago by ultrasound just because i had moderate flank pain which didn't get better even though i took some painkillers. They thought i could be kidney stones but it was a large 10 cm tumor. Kidney's tumor s don't usually have symptoms unless they are large.

Make sure your medical team and the urologist is expert at kidney cancer, a large rumor is usually a malignant one and no matter if it is benign or malignant it must be taken out, so they usually don't biopsy it. Just make sure yiur team is expert.

There are many drugs that we couldn't even dream about them six years ago, so stay hopeful.

We have many long term survivors who will chime in.

Forough

P.S: you're in my thoughts and prayers

CSN_Ken

Please contact us

Hi MPH0616,

Thank you for reaching out to your American Cancer Society Cancer Survivors Network.  I'm sorry to learn of the difficult time you are going through.

As your question is outside of our scope here at CSN, please reach out to us at our American Cancer Society National Cancer Information Center at our toll free number, 1.800.227.2345 where Cancer Information Specialists are available around the clock every day of the week to speak with you. You can also utilize the Live Chat feature Monday through Friday between 7am-6:30pm CST on www.cancer.org.

 

Best regards, 

Ken

CSN Support Team

Jan4you

Well MPH, this just is crappy

Well MPH, this just is crappy, I am so sorry for ALL You have to endure in your life! BUT we're here for you. There are folks here who are stage IV and well, still here!!

Also there is Smartpatients.com or Patients like me web sites.

BUT we'll be here along side you, so you won't feel so alone. You can vent and ask any question. We understand.

There are amazing treatments now. Do you have others in your life to support you?

Sending you healing hugs with a big dose of HOPE!

Warmly, Jan