Kidney Cancer

Jimmiesfriend
Jimmiesfriend Member Posts: 6
in Kidney Cancer #1
My friend has only one kidney and he is 81 years old. He has two Tumors and two cysts. One tumor measures about 3.1 centimeters and the other is about 2.5. Since he only has one kidney, will the surgeon suggest surgery? I do not know anything about this so I am hoping for some positive answers. He has had his MRI which showed the masses, his blood test turned out good and his chest xray. I was wondering how aggressive they might get with someone in their 80's. Do they do Chemo on kidney cancer? Is it possible it may not be cancer?

He had his other kidney removed about 15 years ago for the same reason. They didn't want to take any chances. Now with only one kidney what would the treatment be. I am very worried and I don't know how to deal with this. I don't know what to say to him. He has an appt at the surgeon in two weeks and then I guess this will be when they discuss the treatment. I am very worried and don't know what to expect. Is there anyone out there that has had this happen?

Comments

  • garym
    garym Member Posts: 1,647
    #2
    Kidney cancer...
    JF,

    Unfortunately it is very probable that Jimmy's RCC has returned. Many factors will come into play regarding treatment including his overall health and the location of the tumors. If surgery is recommended a partial nephrectomy where they save as much of the kidney as they can would be the first option with complete removal of his remaining kidney and lifelong dialysis being the other option surgically. Traditional chemo and radiation therapies are not generally effective against RCC, but there are drugs that were not available 15 years ago that may help. Again, much depends on his general health and ability to tolerate what can be nasty side effects. There are new treatments and trials in the pipeline. Gerald White's MAARS program may be worth looking into as well. It is a way to teach your immune system, by listening to a CD, to identify and attack cancer cells. Mr. White was diagnosed with RCC and given 3 months to live at one point, but he is alive and well today over 20 years later. It is an inspirational story and the program is inexpensive.

    If Jimmy is ready and willing to fight there is hope, tell him that, and encourage him to come here and read the stories of fellow survivors doing battle every day. RCC can and is being beaten.

    Good luck and Godspeed,

    Gary
  • Limelife50
    Limelife50 Member Posts: 476
    #3
    Hi J F
    Your friend i think would be a good candidate for either one of these prosedures,one is called cryoablation which basically would freeze the tumors thus killing the cancer cells the other one is called RFA or radio frequency ablation which pretty much fries the tumor.Location of these tumors might determine wether or not he even is a candidate for these procedures maybe they could remove both of them or maybe one or maybe none,at the same time remember RCC is very slow growing and because of his age his doctors might want to adopt a wait and see attitude,but you know your friend more than me if he is in good health why not atleast inquire about the procedures i have mentioned
  • Jimmiesfriend
    Jimmiesfriend Member Posts: 6
    #4
    garym said:

    Kidney cancer...
    JF,

    Unfortunately it is very probable that Jimmy's RCC has returned. Many factors will come into play regarding treatment including his overall health and the location of the tumors. If surgery is recommended a partial nephrectomy where they save as much of the kidney as they can would be the first option with complete removal of his remaining kidney and lifelong dialysis being the other option surgically. Traditional chemo and radiation therapies are not generally effective against RCC, but there are drugs that were not available 15 years ago that may help. Again, much depends on his general health and ability to tolerate what can be nasty side effects. There are new treatments and trials in the pipeline. Gerald White's MAARS program may be worth looking into as well. It is a way to teach your immune system, by listening to a CD, to identify and attack cancer cells. Mr. White was diagnosed with RCC and given 3 months to live at one point, but he is alive and well today over 20 years later. It is an inspirational story and the program is inexpensive.

    If Jimmy is ready and willing to fight there is hope, tell him that, and encourage him to come here and read the stories of fellow survivors doing battle every day. RCC can and is being beaten.

    Good luck and Godspeed,

    Gary

    Kidney Cancer
    Jimmie is a very active 82 year old. He travels the world in his business.Yes, he still works and his work takes him all over the world. He is not showing any signs of being sick. He is more active than most 40 year olds that I know. He will be seeing his doctor in two weeks and on the same day he will see an Anesthesiologist (sp?) I am assuming that they want to do surgery asap. I will look into that CD today. I am really sick to my stomach over this because this is the only place I have to come to find any answers and to know what to expect. He is my best friend and I know I am taking on a big role as a care taker. I am trying to keep up beat and continually reminding him to think positive. He does not think positive, he told me today he wants to live though.

    Gary, thank you so much for the response, I have been waiting for someone to give me some encouragement. Thank you.

    Jimmiesfriend...
  • Jimmiesfriend
    Jimmiesfriend Member Posts: 6
    #5
    garym said:

    Kidney cancer...
    JF,

    Unfortunately it is very probable that Jimmy's RCC has returned. Many factors will come into play regarding treatment including his overall health and the location of the tumors. If surgery is recommended a partial nephrectomy where they save as much of the kidney as they can would be the first option with complete removal of his remaining kidney and lifelong dialysis being the other option surgically. Traditional chemo and radiation therapies are not generally effective against RCC, but there are drugs that were not available 15 years ago that may help. Again, much depends on his general health and ability to tolerate what can be nasty side effects. There are new treatments and trials in the pipeline. Gerald White's MAARS program may be worth looking into as well. It is a way to teach your immune system, by listening to a CD, to identify and attack cancer cells. Mr. White was diagnosed with RCC and given 3 months to live at one point, but he is alive and well today over 20 years later. It is an inspirational story and the program is inexpensive.

    If Jimmy is ready and willing to fight there is hope, tell him that, and encourage him to come here and read the stories of fellow survivors doing battle every day. RCC can and is being beaten.

    Good luck and Godspeed,

    Gary

    Kidney Cancer
    Jimmie is a very active 82 year old. He travels the world in his business.Yes, he still works and his work takes him all over the world. He is not showing any signs of being sick. He is more active than most 40 year olds that I know. He will be seeing his doctor in two weeks and on the same day he will see an Anesthesiologist (sp?) I am assuming that they want to do surgery asap. I will look into that CD today. I am really sick to my stomach over this because this is the only place I have to come to find any answers and to know what to expect. He is my best friend and I know I am taking on a big role as a care taker. I am trying to keep up beat and continually reminding him to think positive. He does not think positive, he told me today he wants to live though.

    Gary, thank you so much for the response, I have been waiting for someone to give me some encouragement. Thank you.

    Jimmiesfriend...
  • Jimmiesfriend
    Jimmiesfriend Member Posts: 6
    #6
    Limelife50 said:

    Hi J F
    Your friend i think would be a good candidate for either one of these prosedures,one is called cryoablation which basically would freeze the tumors thus killing the cancer cells the other one is called RFA or radio frequency ablation which pretty much fries the tumor.Location of these tumors might determine wether or not he even is a candidate for these procedures maybe they could remove both of them or maybe one or maybe none,at the same time remember RCC is very slow growing and because of his age his doctors might want to adopt a wait and see attitude,but you know your friend more than me if he is in good health why not atleast inquire about the procedures i have mentioned

    Thank you
    Thank you so much Limelife...I am going with him to see the surgeon and anything that I can ask him I would appreciate. I don't know what to ask him. Looking at your letting I think I will print it out and ask about the cryoablation.That does't sound that radical. I am not sure where the tumors are located. I only know that they are on the inside. . I appreciate all the feedback that I can get so I know what exactly to ask the surgeon when we go.

    Jimmie is a very active, healthy 82 year old. He works and travels all over the world about 6-7 months out of the year. The biggest fear I have right now is depression. I see him falling into it right now. I keep telling him to think positive but that is coming from someone who is not suffering from what he has, although I too am a cancer survivor.

    If you think of anything else that I can ask the doctor about please let me know and I appreciate you response very much.

    Bless you ..

    Jimmiesfriend
  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #7
    Jimmiesfriend said:

    Thank you
    Thank you so much Limelife...I am going with him to see the surgeon and anything that I can ask him I would appreciate. I don't know what to ask him. Looking at your letting I think I will print it out and ask about the cryoablation.That does't sound that radical. I am not sure where the tumors are located. I only know that they are on the inside. . I appreciate all the feedback that I can get so I know what exactly to ask the surgeon when we go.

    Jimmie is a very active, healthy 82 year old. He works and travels all over the world about 6-7 months out of the year. The biggest fear I have right now is depression. I see him falling into it right now. I keep telling him to think positive but that is coming from someone who is not suffering from what he has, although I too am a cancer survivor.

    If you think of anything else that I can ask the doctor about please let me know and I appreciate you response very much.

    Bless you ..

    Jimmiesfriend

    Questions
    Another place you could go to for some really solid help is KIDNEY-ONC. It's less attractively presented but they have a lot more expertise there than we have available here, especially at the tougher end of this disease. You could get into it via

    http://listserv.acor.org/archives/kidney-onc.html

    Gary's suggestion of the MAARS program is spot on. As it happens, Gerald White, who devised MAARS, is another very active world traveller in his 80s so he could be just the inspiration Jimmie needs. Gerald is a very high-powered engineer and scientist and his CDis guaranteed to help Jimmie with depression as well as helping to combat the cancer. Good luck to both of you and more power to your elbow in helping your friend.
  • Limelife50
    Limelife50 Member Posts: 476
    #8
    Jimmiesfriend said:

    Thank you
    Thank you so much Limelife...I am going with him to see the surgeon and anything that I can ask him I would appreciate. I don't know what to ask him. Looking at your letting I think I will print it out and ask about the cryoablation.That does't sound that radical. I am not sure where the tumors are located. I only know that they are on the inside. . I appreciate all the feedback that I can get so I know what exactly to ask the surgeon when we go.

    Jimmie is a very active, healthy 82 year old. He works and travels all over the world about 6-7 months out of the year. The biggest fear I have right now is depression. I see him falling into it right now. I keep telling him to think positive but that is coming from someone who is not suffering from what he has, although I too am a cancer survivor.

    If you think of anything else that I can ask the doctor about please let me know and I appreciate you response very much.

    Bless you ..

    Jimmiesfriend

    ok one more thing
    Just a thought but i guess one more thing would be how well your friends Jimmies kidney is fuctioning ,there are diferent ways of doing this either thru CT scans,also thru blood tests to check for and excuse my spelling his creatine levels also his gfr which are related to kidney function among other blood work,but if everything were to check out why not look into those procedures i mentioned.I mean no disrespect i have run across alot of things such as the one minute cure book to cds promoting cures ,im sorry if these books or cds really worked that well ,the people who came up with these ideals would be billionaires
  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    #9
    Limelife50 said:

    ok one more thing
    Just a thought but i guess one more thing would be how well your friends Jimmies kidney is fuctioning ,there are diferent ways of doing this either thru CT scans,also thru blood tests to check for and excuse my spelling his creatine levels also his gfr which are related to kidney function among other blood work,but if everything were to check out why not look into those procedures i mentioned.I mean no disrespect i have run across alot of things such as the one minute cure book to cds promoting cures ,im sorry if these books or cds really worked that well ,the people who came up with these ideals would be billionaires

    Jimmie
    I would think that someone as remarkable as Jimmie wouldn't need any help in deciding what to do...sounds worse than I mean it. Great you are concerned.
  • Limelife50
    Limelife50 Member Posts: 476
    #10
    foxhd said:

    Jimmie
    I would think that someone as remarkable as Jimmie wouldn't need any help in deciding what to do...sounds worse than I mean it. Great you are concerned.

    Hi fox
    sometmes Fox you have amazed me ,why do i say this is because from all your past posts you have always called it the way you see it, that you see things in black and white by that i mean your views are as honest as you see them
  • Jimmiesfriend
    Jimmiesfriend Member Posts: 6
    #11
    foxhd said:

    Jimmie
    I would think that someone as remarkable as Jimmie wouldn't need any help in deciding what to do...sounds worse than I mean it. Great you are concerned.

    Thank you
    No offense taken Fox...I am not new to Cancer but when it strikes someone that you truly love then it takes on a different form. I don't know what to do, I don't know what to ask the surgeon. I am so grateful I have taken notes when we do go to the Doctor because he forgets.
    I have researched everything and the only thing that I can say from reading the boards that he will be fine. All of his bloodwork checked out fine, his initial testing (lung xray) was clear..so all I can say at this point is that it is in God's hands. I am a very positive thinker and i know this man very well. He is strong and he is a fighter. He has many many more tours to do. ITs just getting passed the bad stuff...(surgery).
    Thanks again.
  • Jimmiesfriend
    Jimmiesfriend Member Posts: 6
    #12
    Another question..
    If the cancer has spread...when will they know this? Is it when they do surgery? Is it typical for RCC to spread quickly? Everything that I have read about it seems to be a slow process. Is it possible just to remove the tumors and not part of the kidney? He has the Pre-Opt testing on the 24th, I called the nurse and she said that they may do a stress test and Echo. Is it common to do a stress test before surgery? I thought they would only do an Echo.
    My mind is swirling...he is not here and he is alone right now in another country. I keep sending him positive things...I know he is depressed. I just can't do anything right now except be waiting for him when he arrives at the airport and then take him for his appts. Im sorry but I just don't know what to expect. You can read and read and sometimes it doesn't sink in.

    Thank you all and I will keep you posted on Jimmie. He needs prayers..this world is not ready for Jimmie to leave us. And I am not ready either.

    Thank You
    Jimmiesfriend
  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #13
    Jimmiesfriend said:

    Another question..
    If the cancer has spread...when will they know this? Is it when they do surgery? Is it typical for RCC to spread quickly? Everything that I have read about it seems to be a slow process. Is it possible just to remove the tumors and not part of the kidney? He has the Pre-Opt testing on the 24th, I called the nurse and she said that they may do a stress test and Echo. Is it common to do a stress test before surgery? I thought they would only do an Echo.
    My mind is swirling...he is not here and he is alone right now in another country. I keep sending him positive things...I know he is depressed. I just can't do anything right now except be waiting for him when he arrives at the airport and then take him for his appts. Im sorry but I just don't know what to expect. You can read and read and sometimes it doesn't sink in.

    Thank you all and I will keep you posted on Jimmie. He needs prayers..this world is not ready for Jimmie to leave us. And I am not ready either.

    Thank You
    Jimmiesfriend

    Answers to Questions
    Jimmiesfried,

    Let me try and answer your questions. Please take these anwsers with a grain os salt as questions regarding 2 small tumors on the remaining kidney should be discussed thoroughly with the doctor.

    As for the Cancer spreading, given the small size of the tumors, the answer is probably no. They will know this from the surgery, the pathology report and the Chest x-ray. As for removing the Tumors without removing part of the Kidney, this is a question for the doctors. Generally small tumors can be removed by RFA- Radio Frequency something where they try and burn the tumomor off or by Cyro something where they try and freeze it.

    A stress test is common before surgery as they want there to be sure that the risk is very minimal to have a heart incident during surgery.

    Hope this helps.


    Icemantoo
  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    #14
    icemantoo said:

    Answers to Questions
    Jimmiesfried,

    Let me try and answer your questions. Please take these anwsers with a grain os salt as questions regarding 2 small tumors on the remaining kidney should be discussed thoroughly with the doctor.

    As for the Cancer spreading, given the small size of the tumors, the answer is probably no. They will know this from the surgery, the pathology report and the Chest x-ray. As for removing the Tumors without removing part of the Kidney, this is a question for the doctors. Generally small tumors can be removed by RFA- Radio Frequency something where they try and burn the tumomor off or by Cyro something where they try and freeze it.

    A stress test is common before surgery as they want there to be sure that the risk is very minimal to have a heart incident during surgery.

    Hope this helps.


    Icemantoo

    spreading
    Typically they do met. slowly. But not always the case. I went from none in May '11 after a scan to probably 18-20 by Oct."11. The docs will know what to do. Good luck.

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