I'm new here, this is my story

Baby_Jay

Hello everyone! I have had right flank pain for many years, like 15 or so. every scan and diag test has been normal. I also have a painful inflammatory disease in my bladder called interstitial cystitis for 22 years. In the past few years I have had a few UTIs and more severe right flank pain which has led me to have more ultrasounds and scans. In Feb 2021 I had an ultrasound that spotted a simple cyst 1.9 cm inferior pole on the left kidney that was confirmed with a later CT scan. Then in Aug 2023 I went to the ER for severe chest (lung) pain and SOB, CT showed a 3mm nodule right middle lobe. Aug 2023 had an ultrasound that showed a 2.7 cm simple cyst in the lower pole and another one 1.6 cm in the mid kidney (left). Mar 2024 ultrasound 2.5 simple cyst inferior pole, no mention of the previous find of a second cyst. Then Nov 2024 I went to the ER with severe R Flank pain so bad I could hardly move. CT shows 3.0 cm Low-attenuation lesion in left kidney measures 32 Hounsfield units. It also showed severe spinal degeneration L5 to S1 and recommended MRI. I had an MRI on my spine and kidneys (with and w/o contrast) The MRI confirmed that spinal degeneration and other issues was the source of my right flank pain. Here is the final report on my left kidney: there is a 3.2 x 2.7 cm ovoid exophytic lesion at the left inferior pole. this demonstrates intermediate T1 signal, low T1 signal, and no significant enhancement. IMPRESSION: * there is a 3.2 cm left inferior pole relan cortical lesion with signal characteristics suggesting a hemorrhagic or proteinaceous cyst. no suspicious nodular enhancing component.

During my follow up appointment with my GP in Jan., he referred me to a urologist and I have an appointment for Mar 20. During my Dr. Google searches, I wasn't too concerned about cancer because everything I read said that if the lesion is under 4 cm it is not likely to be cancer. But now that I found this site and read a lot of your experiences, I feel like now I very likely do have cancer. I am not worried or freaking out about it. What do you all think?

Baby_Jay

I forgot to mention that I am 49 year old male.

donna_lee

Wow- you have had lots of diagnostics. Make sure the test results are to the Urologist prior to your appointment. That will mean you have to authorize the readings be sent to him ASAP.

Then it is time to have him interpret what they mean and how it affects you NOW. If the Urologist is also an oncologist, so much the better. Otherwise, you also be referred to the Onc.

Until then, you are in a holding pattern. Since mine were all removed with surgery (3) over 3 years time, I'm not up on the latest drugs that are in use for shrinking tumors, immunotherapies, etc.

Hang in there, keep exercising, drink water (not soda or booze) and eat balanced meals.

And Good Luck.

donna_lee

Baby_Jay

I also have a 5 mm cyst on my liver, which concerns me. I guess if they are calling it a cyst should be good news, but you never know with cancer. I tend to assume worse case when it comes to my health. I have read many pages of this site and your experiences with the surgery. I have a good idea what to expect. I am a bus driver, so I should probably expect to be off work for a little longer than most of you. I am hoping so much for lapriscopic surgery for the shorter recovery. I still have a few weeks before I see the urologist so I have no idea what's going on yet. Not looking forward to any of this!!!!!

donna_lee

If you were looking forward to it, I'd say you were CRAZY! My kidney cancer had already met'sd to the left lobe of my liver…so they took that part out and biopsied several liver cysts to check them in the right lobe.

Pushing pedals, reefing on even an automatic steering wheel and the physicality of driving may put you off work for at least the minimum amount of time. One day/one step at a time.

Our company runs 12 yard dump trucks with trailers so I understand what you have to do on your job. Take care.

donna_lee

Baby_Jay

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1721473#Comment_1721473

Thanks I appreciate your response! Should I be worried about the cyst on my liver? I'm trying not to be too nervous until after I see the Doc...

Baby_Jay

I am experiencing some symptoms for the past couple of months. Night sweats, sore throat, daily low grade fever, pain in the area of tumor, and weight loss. I am trying to lose weight, but not very hard. This makes me worried that the cancer might have already spread. I can't stop thinking about this!

donna_lee

IF it is a cyst, it is not cancerous. They may remove it if it is causing other problems or making you ill.

Night sweats, sore throat and other symptoms may be the flue and/or viral cold or ??? Your regular Doc may need to see you for a DX. Or do you have walk-in clinics where you live? The weight loss may be from stress…when I was D'xd in 2006, I lost over 30 pounds in less than a month…I worked, my daughter and kids were getting ready to move back from the Mid-East, I had lots of stuff that needed to get done before I would be unable to lift stuff/do yard work/etc.

If you were a female, I'd say Menopause, but you wouldn't qualify!

Keep a sense of humor; get your big projects out of the way; stock up on easy to fix food-not spicy and easy to digest. Where is family in all this? and is anyone able to help you?

Keep me posted. P.S. You are 6 years younger than my youngest child. Guess I'm in the mothering mode.

donna_lee

Baby_Jay

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1721501#Comment_1721501

Yeah I've already had a physical and work up, I have also seen an ENT. He said there is no reason for my sore throat and other symptoms. I do have stage 2 kidney disease, but other than that my labs are all normal. My wife can take care of me, I also have 3 boys living at home 17, 21, and 25. My 27 year old is close by as well.

donna_lee

Well, that's better news. Guess you are in the waiting game until your appointment.

It's great you have family around. Hope they are a great support. But remember that caregivers go through a stress of their own. Is there any kind of support group that is sponsored by your hospital, clinic, or even Hospice. It helps to have a group who have "been there-done that." Before it was popular, the local Hospice Director was asked by an Oncologist to start something. It's about living with cancer, not dying from it.

Best wishes to the whole family.

donna_lee

Baby_Jay

Hey, it turns out that my tumor is a large complex cyst. The doc didn't seem to concerned about it, however due to pain, I'm checking if I can get it drained. From what I've read, complex cysts have a risk of becoming cancerous. On a side note, this week I had an endoscopy with dilation to stretch my esophagus. When I woke up they said it was pre-cancerous. So I also have that to worry about. I also have interstitial cystitis (a painful chronic inflammatory disease of the bladder), the Uro told me not to worry about cancer unless I see visible blood in my urine. Well, that started today...I'm setting an appointment to get a cystoscopy. So yeah, I'm quite a bit worried right now. Everything could be fine, I hope.