Single kidney now has cancer - anyone?

Danielle,

There are some of us.   I had a partial open 13 weeks ago.   In my case, they took a chance and put me on Votrient for 5 months to shrink the tumor to improve the odds of success.   It was a bit of a risk, but since I was healthy (other than the cancer) its what we all agreed too.  The tumor got about 20% smaller and was dying on the inside but since it was close to renal artery we didn't wait anylonger, the doctor felt like he had about a 90-95%% chance of being successful and of course, it worked out.   My creatinine levels are steady at 1.2 which is what they were before the surgery.    

His docs will have to run CT of the chest, upper and lower abs, CT or MRI  of Head and a bone scan.  My cancer had already spread to my lungs, so this wasn't curative, but it does give me a chance to take as many swings as possible.   I am intering the Niv/Ipi clincial trial, my first infusion is May 28th.   

You may want to identify the best surgeons to do this - find one who has done this before, make sure their is a level of comfort.   I am receiving treatment at BIDMC in Boston, its integreted so the surgeon and the ONC are all on the same team.   Dr. Wagner at BIDMC did my surgery.   I know Cleveland Clinic had performed a  few of these successfully as well.   

Mike 

dlrepic said:

Thanks for the responses

Mike, Were you born with a single Kidney as well?  My husband had a chest/pelvis/abdomen CT as part of his TC follow-up, that's when they discovered the tumor.  He had a PET Monday that showed that none of the old lymph nodes/necrotic tumors from the TC are active.  However, I do understand from reading that kidney cancer doesn't always show up with PET, however, I have no clue if that means metastatic disease or just the kidney tumor - ok now I've confused myself.  I've been taking care of at least one family member with cancer for the last 9 years and I'm tired.  Thought after I got mom through the breast cancer I'd have a break.

 

We live in Oregon and they are doing the surgery in Portland.  We have Kaiser health insurance, so can't really go out of network.  The surgeon did his orchectomy in 2004, and he's arranged for another surgeon as well as a vascular surgeon to assist, so we feel comfortable with that.  Are you still on the mend?  Dr told us yesterday ~8 weeks for recovery.  The real problem is location and additional scarring from TC, so they are worried about the kidney.  Our daughter is the same blood type and keeps asking if it's time to donate - our family joke is that we had her to be his kidney donor, however she was 6 when we found that he only had 1:)

 

Danielle

 

I lost my right kidney as a child - different cancer.   Felt like I was being picked on a bit when I learned 47 years later I have it in my remaining kidney.   I am 13 weeks post op - I am almost back to normal, in fact just go back from a 45 minute jog.   I was pretty fit going into the surgery (triathlete, lots of outdoor winter sports) so I can bike and run (slowly).   My only complaint is my abdomen on the surgical side is a bit distended; and sometimes tender.   It just takes time for everthing to heal.   

My recovery was a bit slowed by an extended stay due to some complications, so I think 8 weeks is pretty standard.    As soon as possible, get him walking.   You will here that in the hospital but also once you get home plan on lots of walks, extending them each week.  

Kaiser has hospitals and doctors all over the West, so you have more options than just in Portland, OR.    

You can do this!

Texas_wedge said:

That's quite an achievement Mike, not many could match you, even without having had your history - my hat's off to you!

Thanks...Having just the one kidney really motivated me growing up.   I felt like I was given such a gift as a child.   Funny thing on my post - I didn't lose my kidney; for some reason that sounds to me like a misplaced it. - it was taken!

Its been interesting this time...I am still trying to remain thankful.   I am a blessed man. 

dlrepic said:

Thanks

Thanks for the inspiration.  He has always ran and played soccer, but the neuropathy has started to get bad, but I think I can get him walking - or the cattle prod can:) 

He's more worried with being off work for 8 weeks than the surgery, but, besides the TC he's been very healthy, so when he doesn't feel good it's more difficult.  I will introduce him to the forume at some date to read all the great personal stories.

 

Also, what type of kidney cancer did you have surgery for?  Did they know type before removal?  Or was it an open biopsy/surgery all in one?

 

Thanks again

Danielle

 

We did a biopsy to confirm the cancer.    It was not big deal - when you have tumors this big on the kidney, its like hitter the barn door.    The first cancer as a child was a neurou blastoma, another reason for doing the biopsy was to understand the type of cancer I have now and if it was related to the previous cancer - it wasn't. I then did 5 months of Votrient to try to shrink the tumor before surgery.