Oncologist

goyler
goyler Member Posts: 11 Member
in Kidney Cancer #1
I had a question for the experienced folks on this site. I have Kaiser Hospital insurance and they have been great on keeping me informed and I love my doctor. My question is my doctor is an Urologist and is continuing to follow me after my surgery for the next five years. Should I be followed by an Oncologist for future visits or is this standard practice? The only reason I am asking is the grade 4 of the cancer and I wanted to make sure that I get the best possible information and test associated with this cancer. I feel confident in my current doctor but wanted others opinions or experiences.

Thanks,
Greg

Comments

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #2
    Oncoloogist
    Greg,

    I probably am not the one to answer this as my Urologist was also certified in Oncology. Even without that certification those Urologists doing Kidney Cancer surgery have a lot of specific training and practise in Urological Oncology, That being said if you are Stage 4 I would ask for a referral to an Oncologist. Your Urologist should not be offended and may in fact give you that referral. Do you need an Oncologist? It is always nice to have another opinion.

    Another thing to consider is a referral to a Nephrologist if you have high Blood Pressure or low GFR numbeers. My Urologist said I would have to do that on my own and because I was on Medicare I did.

    Icemantoo
  • ourfriendjohn
    ourfriendjohn Member Posts: 72
    #3
    icemantoo said:

    Oncoloogist
    Greg,

    I probably am not the one to answer this as my Urologist was also certified in Oncology. Even without that certification those Urologists doing Kidney Cancer surgery have a lot of specific training and practise in Urological Oncology, That being said if you are Stage 4 I would ask for a referral to an Oncologist. Your Urologist should not be offended and may in fact give you that referral. Do you need an Oncologist? It is always nice to have another opinion.

    Another thing to consider is a referral to a Nephrologist if you have high Blood Pressure or low GFR numbeers. My Urologist said I would have to do that on my own and because I was on Medicare I did.

    Icemantoo

    Oncologist?
    Greg,

    I seem to be in a simular position. I am also with Kaiser (Georgia) and had a right radical in September with turned out to be stage 2b grade 4 chromophobe with sarcomatoid focal(?). My urologist has me on a schedule of six month abdominal and pelvis MRI's with a chest x-ray. I expressed some concern about the effectiveness of x-rays in identifying RCC mets in the lungs to my GP at my annual physical yesterday and he referred me to an oncologist. I am looking forward to getting a second opinion as to which is the greater risk: the radiation and contrast a CT scan of the chest would cause or the reduced resolution that I understand a chest x-ray provides.

    John
  • adman
    adman Member Posts: 336
    #4
    Go to the expert....

    I recently had a 'full' last month & had a great path report ( stage 1, grade 1) but still had a follow up with an oncologist to discuss options, etc.
    I received a more detailed explanation and I'm glad I did.
    I will schedule my follow up scans, bloodwork with the oncologist moving forward. The Urologist can be in the loop, but it's my body and what I'm comfortable with.
  • enae
    enae Member Posts: 18
    #5
    Kaiser are great with patient care
    and your can continue seeing you urologist to monitor the function of your remaining kidney, but get an Oncologist too. And not just any oncologist, but someone who specializes in RCC, since they know more about resent research, trials and treatment options. My husband is seeing an urologist, nefrologist and now two oncologists. They can work as a team on your case, since you have to be in Kaiser system.
  • adman
    adman Member Posts: 336
    #6
    enae said:

    Kaiser are great with patient care
    and your can continue seeing you urologist to monitor the function of your remaining kidney, but get an Oncologist too. And not just any oncologist, but someone who specializes in RCC, since they know more about resent research, trials and treatment options. My husband is seeing an urologist, nefrologist and now two oncologists. They can work as a team on your case, since you have to be in Kaiser system.

    Nephrologist

    I opted to also see a nephrologist to monitor the remaining kidney & fully understand what meds, food, etc I can/ can't have moving fwd.
  • goyler
    goyler Member Posts: 11 Member
    #7
    ourfriendjohn said:

    Oncologist?
    Greg,

    I seem to be in a simular position. I am also with Kaiser (Georgia) and had a right radical in September with turned out to be stage 2b grade 4 chromophobe with sarcomatoid focal(?). My urologist has me on a schedule of six month abdominal and pelvis MRI's with a chest x-ray. I expressed some concern about the effectiveness of x-rays in identifying RCC mets in the lungs to my GP at my annual physical yesterday and he referred me to an oncologist. I am looking forward to getting a second opinion as to which is the greater risk: the radiation and contrast a CT scan of the chest would cause or the reduced resolution that I understand a chest x-ray provides.

    John

    John
    Let me know how that goes. I would be interested to see if you learn anything different or the test change.

    Thanks,
    Greg
  • goyler
    goyler Member Posts: 11 Member
    #8
    ourfriendjohn said:

    Oncologist?
    Greg,

    I seem to be in a simular position. I am also with Kaiser (Georgia) and had a right radical in September with turned out to be stage 2b grade 4 chromophobe with sarcomatoid focal(?). My urologist has me on a schedule of six month abdominal and pelvis MRI's with a chest x-ray. I expressed some concern about the effectiveness of x-rays in identifying RCC mets in the lungs to my GP at my annual physical yesterday and he referred me to an oncologist. I am looking forward to getting a second opinion as to which is the greater risk: the radiation and contrast a CT scan of the chest would cause or the reduced resolution that I understand a chest x-ray provides.

    John

    John
    Let me know how that goes. I would be interested to see if you learn anything different or the test change.

    Thanks,
    Greg
  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #9
    goyler said:

    John
    Let me know how that goes. I would be interested to see if you learn anything different or the test change.

    Thanks,
    Greg

    Scan protocols
    Let's hope Jeff spots this issue and can give his expert opinion (as 'a layman' of course!)
  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #10
    goyler said:

    John
    Let me know how that goes. I would be interested to see if you learn anything different or the test change.

    Thanks,
    Greg

    Scan protocols
    Let's hope Jeff spots this issue and can give his expert opinion (as 'a layman' of course!)

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