???? is it necessary to see an oncologist.

Texas_wedge said:

Oncologist?
A few details of your path report wouldn't go amiss, Michelle, but I guess you wouldn't have this info available?

Do you have any worrying symptoms? Why do family members say you should consult an oncologist? What do people mean in saying that you're "in denial"? Denial of what, exactly?

If you haven't needed to give the topic much thought after surviving for 8 years so far, why on earth would you need to see an oncologist for reassurance?!

Oncologist
Michelle,


My usual answer woukd be why not, but that would apply 8 years ago. Assuming you had scans for at least the first 5 years and they were all clean and that you see the urologist once a year, there is no reason to see an Oncologist at this point in time. We are a very special club with only 3% of the Cancers with our own special procedures and those outside our club, while they may mean well ddon't have the vaugest idea about RCC. My little bugger was out in 2002 (in the dark ages before high speed internet) and I prefer to look forward not backword.


Icemantoo

michelle300 said:

Although I do not have an worrying symptoms now, I do understand that the cancer can come back within 15 years. The only issue that I have are fibroids that is being monitored by my ob/gyn. I do think it but i figure i really can't prevent.
My family members recommend a seeing an oncologist as a preventive measure and to see if I can do anything to prevent cancer from occurring again.

The denial part is me not associating myself with survivors of cancer. Although I know i had cancer, I do not feel I am a survivor, I had a procedure and that was that. I hear many stories of people going through chemo and radiation and they are the ones that deserve to be called survivors not me, so I do not take it so serious.
Each time I have doctor visits with my primary doctor, the topic comes up and this is ongoing for 8 years that she wants me to talk to cancer doctors. I just do not think it is necessary.

Survivor
Michelle,

You and I are survivors. We had Cancer. We had major abdominal surgery to get rid of it. It was not fun. If we did not have the surgery the camcer would have spread and over a period of time without the surgery we would have died as RCC can be very deadly. Being lucky is not a reason to feel guilty. Having had Cancer we can appreciate and understand others better.

With regard to seeing an Oncologist as recommended by your family doctor for 8 years. Give it a try and let the Oncologist say you have nothing to worry about. Mine is a layman's opinion not that of a doctor. My experience has been that my Urologist and Nephrologist understand RCC. It has also been my experience in the past year that my GP, Orthopedic Surgeon, ENT and Allergy specialists that I have seen do not other than being aware that certain medications can be adverse to your Kidneys.

Good luck in whatever you do.

Icemantoo