Renal Cell or Transitional Cell is the Question

DreamOnDeb

My husband had the additional CT scan and Cystoscopy that his Urologic Oncologist requested.  His bladder is good...everything is normal.  Even though they don't usually do biopsies on kidney tumors, he wants my husband to have one because he said it's very important that we know the cell type before we do surgery.  He needs to know if it's renal cell carcinoma or transitional cell carcinoma.  If it's renal cell, he can do a partial nephrectomy.  If it's transitional cell, the whole kidney would need to be removed, along with the ureter.  The thing is that he can't be positive by looking at the CT scan whether or not it's originating from the lining of the ureter (which would mean transitional cell).  He thinks it's just pressing on it, and not originating from it, but the only way to be sure is by doing a biopsy.  The tumor is 2.9 cm.  It's in the right upper pole.  It's contained in the kidney.  It hasn't spread to lymph nodes or anywhere else.  I'm more scared than ever right now because I had it in my head that he'd have a partial nephrectomy and we'd get through it.  This just became much more complicated.

icemantoo

It is still small and curable from surgery alone

Deb,

 

In my day almosy 15 years ago they took the whole kidney out anyway.  As a layman you are going to have to get your answers from your medical  team on thid, You also may want to get a second opinion.

 

Icemantoo

sblairc

Well here is one silver lining: often less complications

While partials are very safe surgerys, full nephrectomys often have less complications post-op. It's more involved to repair a kidney than to just yank one out, speaking as a total layperson with only internet medical training, lol!!! You'll get through this, in no time it will be a distant memory. My husband had a full neprectomy in 2013, his recovery was pretty impressive to me. 

DreamOnDeb

Thank you, Icemantoo and

Thank you, Icemantoo and sblairc.....the waiting and wondering is so hard.  

donna_lee

Focus on the Good Part of the news!

beThe tumor is small with no mets, a biopsy can determine type of cancer, you can be assured that there will be one surgery or the other to follow in quick succession, and he can then proceed to healing.  Follow up testing should be regular; and hopefully, there will be no need for use of drugs.

From my side of the fence, the news is Great.  Being told you have cancer is really a downer, and at this stage the waiting can cause anxiety.

Not only do I wish you both all Good Results, but send hugs to surround you and family with happy times ahead.

I've Been There, Done That.  And it was just 11 years ago this week that I was getting ready for my BBBBiiiiiiiGGGGG surgery.  Luckily, I'm here to talk about it and cheer others onward.

donna_lee

DreamOnDeb

Thank you so much, Donna!  I

Thank you so much, Donna!  I'm glad you're doing well!