Informtion on kidney cancer spreading to the skin??

Yes after not having any new cancers, last Spring I felt a lumb on top of head that started bleeding if I caught with my comb. My doctor removed it finding it to be renal cell cancer. I saw my oncologist and he siad I was only his second patient to have this in all his years of being a doctor. Well only 6 months later I got two more and again had them removed. Having no problems there since, but now this November my cancer in my chest has grown and needs to be treated. Started Voltient in Dec but had many side effects worst being vomiting, I could not hold solids down, I stopped for 4 weeks and started Sutent for two weeks and still having side effects also just got out of 5 day stay in hospital. Now waiting to get a new plan of attack.

KJones1969 said:

bry4856

My husband's is on the top of his head. It has grown to a little larger than a dime in about 4 weeks. His oncologist wants my husband to wait 3 more weeks for scans to see what it is if he can stand the pain. Was yours very painful? We can't touch his and if he accidentally does my husband is in a lot more pain. His doctor said that is what he believes it is, we are just hoping it isn't but now since you responded I don't know. My husband's had spread to his lungs when we found out he has RCC. Now my husband had very little side effects with Votrient but after his first 3 month scans it stopped working. That darn cancer finds a way to fight whatever drugs you take. He was then on Afinitor and the side effects were awful on him. Now he is on Inlyta and the only side effect is extreme fatique so if it helps it will be worth. I'll be praying your new plan of attack works.

Karen, here are a couple of links that may prove of some help to your doc.  They're not very cheering reading

but then I don't think they'll tell you a great deal more about your Husband's situation than you're already aware of.

Spontaneous regression of renal cell carcinoma metastases.

K C Chang, K L Chan, C W Lam

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:C-scjG5ZQ1QJ:www.hkmj.org/article_pdfs/hkm9903p72.pdf+&hl=en&gl=uk&pid
=bl&srcid=ADGEEShlt4pi_W1KfD6QL8GPk53-OUslV2bdnA5TC3ZCae2PGa7mvq8sUEtZdD-f6kTFFtRgmXpFrn99HGLXRvNSAFRLBWnR
-JUcsBlJC8rCz54JU5ZsO844urtEsbgPJkZ2nE2HQ4TD&sig=AHIEtbQLLrKZ3Ff1xplKBbdXSXJ4AwiqYQ

Renal cell carcinoma presenting as an ominous metachronous scalp metastasis

Lisa G. Smyth, MD, Rowan G. Casey, MD, and David M. Quinlan, MD

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3499921/

KJones1969 said:

Thank you Tex

Thank you Tex for sending these to me. I have gained so much inspriation from all of you on here and hope. All of you fight a battle everyday, it just amazes me that over the years there has never really been anything discovered that cures cancer completely. My cousin is a doctor that is working on a cure for HIV in Washington right now. I told him he needs to ax that and work on one for cancer. Not that HIV isn't important but right now to all of us on here cancer is of the utmost importance.

Kathy, it is unreal that the cancer can come outside on the scalp like that! So depressing this cancer!  They really should be able to find a cure for it and my feeling is that there is one, a simple one but they don't really want to find it!  That is my opinion.  The 15 year old student recently won an award for detecting lung, pancreas and ovarian cancer just by using a saliva test for proteins that these cancers produce in the very early stage. The saliva test costs 3 cents. Why was this young child able to do this and not doctors or scientists?  Maybe they are thinking too hard about it. 

http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/05/24/15-year-old-creates-test-for-pancreatic-cancer/

Anyway, perhaps the doctor should remove the scalp tumors if at all possible?  Maybe show him the info of the new post about it.  Hope it goes well. Love to all!

KJones1969 said:

Surgery tomorrow

The brain scan showed up that the nodule on his head is RCC that has spread there. After me pitching a fit about him seeing a surgeon since we were already there they got us in with one this afternoon. He is having surgery tomorrow afternoon to take it off. His other scans showed that the lung nodules had enlarged in size since his scans 6 weeks ago and so he is now off of Inlyta. This has been the 3rd treatment option since last May. He told us basically that we have limited options at Duke because he is reacting the same to all treatment options. The oncologist called me back this afternoon and said there could be some options at John Hopkins if we are willing to go there. I told him whatever will help my husband if he is up for it.

I know I have read a few of you that go there. Can you give me some input on doctor's, treatment options or whatever you know? We have to make the right decision for him and at this point God knows what that is so keep him in your prayers.

Many folks speak extremely highly of Dr. Hans Hammers at Johns Hopkins.

Amongst them are Chris & Dena Battle.  Are you familiar with their blog?

It is here:

http://kidneycancerchronicles.com/

Read their onging saga - and be inspired.  There are still more options for your husband.

Hang in there,

-NanoSecond (Neil)

KJones1969 said:

I do follow their blog and

I do follow their blog and read it every time it they add to it. We will see what the next few weeks bring.

Karen, with luck you'll meet up with our very own Alice and John Thompson and also Vicki and Rick Loucks and get comfort and further inspiration from them - they will all be ready to help you all they can, I'm sure of that.

Texas_wedge said:

OK Karen

Try not to reduce yourself to a wreck.  He needs your help so, for both of you, dont drive yourself into the ground.

I've posted on KIDNEY_ONC  and indicated the urgency so I'm hoping I'll get some response soon.  I guess there's some time today, in the US  (I'm in Scotland so I'll be retiring in about 5 hours time) and I'll keep a close eye open for responses.

I'm trying to gather more information.  So far, it's suggested that Hans Hammers at Johhn Hophins would be a great choice.  Also that if it's possible, cabozantinib, which has worked magic for Chris, has to be a good shot (and would be kinder than the old chemotherapy drugs).  (By the way, was it suggested that your Husband could get into the Xeloda, Gemzar, Avastin trial?).

Dena has asked whether he is being seen by Dan George at Duke, who treated Chris there.  She is aware of a patient who got cabo and wonders whether DG might write it for your Husband.

I'll pass on anything else I can.  Look after yourselves as well as you can and assure your husband that there are a lot of people thinking of you both and wishing him well.