need help

Sandi45 said:

Hello and welcome. I am new

Hello and welcome. I am new to this board and this illness, too, for the most part so I probably don't have a lot of wisdom to share with you. The only thing I know is that a 1 cm tumor is small and sounds like it has been caught early. I have read great things about freezing of the smaller tumors, but have not had that experience. Just in comparison my cancer tumor is nearly 7cm. It was discovered about 2 weeks ago and my sugery is scheduled for the 18th of Sept. 

Bill,

Your dad is one lucky guy as far as Kidney Cancer is concerned. At 1 cm it is just a little buggar too small to cause any harm. His prognosis from the surgery alone is as ckose to a full Cancer free recovery as you can get. As far as details of the tumor and whether or not freezing it is the best choice your dad's doctor is the best source  of that information. The Cyber is a newer technique and there have been a few bad reactions from it on this board. My surgery was 11 years ago before CYber was an option.

Icemantoo

Hi Bill.. your Dad should be very lucky indeed..!

1 - At 1 CM it is very tiny.. amazing it was even found..!  FYI, mine was about 12 times that size..!

2. Yes they can tell with a good clear scan, most likely with contrast.  Doubt that has happened.. the Dr will know for sure... Or get a copy of the scan notes.

3. Yes - on the other techniques, but I wonder if removal will be better as a diagnostic tool of what it really is.  It may not be Cancer.?  And even if it is Cancer, generally RCC is slow growing, I see numbers like less than 1 cm per year mentioned here..  again your Dr should know.

But, speaking of Doctors, sounds like you got a good one.. you may wish to share more details, as others here may offer suggestions... and others would correct me if I mis-spoke.

Ron

At 1 cm its almost close to impossible to be caught earlier. So unless your father is extremely unlucky or turns out to have a very agressive subtype, this is probably the last he will see of RCC, all things given.

Cryo is used in some cases on very small tumors and is a proven method. No need to worry over the surgeons choice.

/G

billmc said:

Thank you Galrim. I truly

Thank you Galrim. I truly appreciate it.

BIll

How did they find such a small lesion? There couldn't have been much pain or dysfunction. Was it routine follow up? In any event if they are talking about removing it, do it. There is no reason to worry about the surgery. Healing happens. I'm afraid that some people put medical care which is mostly routine on hold due to fear. The consequences are always worse.

billmc said:

They found it by accident

They found it by accident Foxhd. the noticed it back in march on a routine check for other issues.

Hi Bill, 

I am not so sure about cryo, but I do have experience of Radio Frequency Ablation which is used to teat smaller tumours. It is less invasive and far less traumatic. I would be happy to relate my experience if that was something that interested you! How old is you Father!

Djinnie x

billmc said:

Hi Dijinnie,
He is 67. he had

Hi Dijinnie,

He is 67. he had colon cancer 8 years ago. then he had mesh put in for hernias. The Urologist said its a small tumor and he will attempt to freeze it. any advice would be great.

Bill

Hi Bill, 

I had a partial nephrectomy five months ago,and as you will have read on here it takes a lot out of you. That is why I was wondering about your Dad's age. My father had major surgery for cancer when he was 69yrs and it was hard on him.

I had a 2 1/2 cm tumour in 2013, I was in Dallas then. The surgeon offered RFA because it seemed to work pretty well on small tumours. It was a four hour surgery then, I am not sure how long they take now. I had four very small wounds in my abdomin, which were all taped. I was very sore for a few days, but not severe pain. The partial nephrectomy leaves you with severe tiredness, with RFA you don't have that problem. I was in hospital 2days, but completely mobile, the recovery is very quick! You have to take care not to lift and stretch, which is normal after any procedure. I have had a few surgeries and for me that was by far the easiest one to recover from.

All the best to your Dad, I am sure you will find the best treatment for him:)

Djinnie x

billmc said:

update. my mother called. my

update. my mother called. my dad had his yearly colonoscopy since he had colon cancer 8 years ago. We have a fantastic colorectal surgeon who will tell it like it is. he is great. He told my mom and dad not to wait. you have a chance to take care of this now do it. dont borrow trouble. my dad is stubborn. that doc would be the only one to convince him to go. he said let me look at the report. he pulled it up and said he isnt a urologist but he wanted to show my parents where it is. I guess its around 1cm in the upper part of the right kidney. just a little bump protruding from the kidney. the ultrasound does show clear contrast between the mass and normal kidney tissue. but there was things bouncing back to the ultrsound that was suspecious. So i think they are going to call and get it scheduled. Does it matter which kidney its in or what part of the kidney in terms of disease free survival?

 

thanks everyone,

Bill

Hi Bill,

There are concerns if near a blood supply. My first tumour was right at the top of my right kidney, I had it ablated ten years ago. My second tumour looked like a thumbs up on the top of my kidney yet again. My surgeon said if you are going to have a tumour you couldn't pick a better place.

All the best

Djinnie