Blood Tests during Active Surveillance

Bobbie51

Hi everyone, My mother just had her 2 year ultrasound follow up. Her solid kidney lesion was 1.3 cm compared to 1.1 cm two years ago.

She has significant flank pain every once in a while.  Is this common with such a small lesion? She does have 3-4 other simple cysts across the two kidneys. All under 2 cm.

She also is tired a lot and is taking iron for her low ferritin and hemoglobin levels.

She has an appointment with the Doctor in a couple od days. Also I was wondering if other doctors take blood tests as part of AS?

Bay Area Guy

I had active surveillance for

I had active surveillance for about 2-1/2 years with scans/chest x-ray every six months.  The scans alternated between ultrasound and CT to minimize radiation exposure.  The surveillance did not include blood tests, though I also continued to see my primary care physician for annual physicals during this time and those included blood and urine tests.

As for flank pain, I did not experience any during my surveillance period.  For reference, my lesion was initially estimated at around 1.6cm.  I had surveillance for 2-1/2 years.  When an ultrasound showed growth to 1.8cm, surgery was arranged to get it out (robotic partial).

Deanie0916

Hi Bobbie

I didn't have active surveillance before I found out about kidney cancer but for my follow up survelliance my urologist told me that blood work is not suoer useful to spot kidney cancer. Not sure why.

lobbyist0724

My tumor was over 3cm but I

My tumor was over 3cm but I didn't experience any pain, I recalled my surgeon told me a small tumor (< 4cm) usually will not cause any symptoms. Interestingly, I do experience flank pain that comes and goes when my follow-up scan is coming (every single time). My doctor said it is likely the stress and anxiety.

Bobbie51

The doctor said everything

The doctor said everything looks good and that the flank pain was probably unrelated.

Thanks all for the valuable input.

AliceB1950

Maybe it also depends on what

Maybe it also depends on what part of the kidney the tumor is on. Mine was 7 cm and I never had any pain.