Renal Cell Cancer

bever1
bever1 Member Posts: 2
edited December 2013 in Kidney Cancer #1

My husband is facing surgery in 2 weeks.  In 1998, he was diagnosed with Renal Cell Cancer, he had his left kidney removed.  This past January, Renal Cell Metastasized to his spleen and pancreas...we were told it was very rare for this to occur.  April of this year he had his Spleen, Gall Bladder, Tail of the Pancreas and some lymph nodes removed.  The beginning of this month after a routine exam, Cancer has returned, it's now in the neck of the Pancreas and the Duodenum.  The first of the year, he will have Whipple Surgery, removing all of his Pancreas, the Duodenum, a small part of his stomach, than a re-section of his digestive system will be done. 

Is there anyone on this board who had their Renal Cell metasisze to the Pancreas and /or had the Whipple Proceure?

 

Beverly

Comments

  • NanoSecond
    NanoSecond Member Posts: 653
    #2
    Systemic Therapy

    I am so very sorry to hear what your husband is going through.

    I am curious to know what kind of systemic drug therapy he has been undergoing.  You did not mention any.

    Also, you might consider registering at: www.SmartPatients.com and then asking your question(s) there.  There are many more patients and caregivers available over there who may be able to offer some valuable information and insights.

     

    -N

  • Srashedb
    Srashedb Member Posts: 482 Member
    #3
    I am sorry for what you and

    I am sorry for what you and your husband are experiencing, a nightmare. My husband's oncologist told us that kidney cancer can and does recur in ways that follow no pattern and told us he'd had a patient with metastasis on his tongue.

    sarah

  • Suekub
    Suekub Member Posts: 137
    #4
    Pancreas mets

    Sorry to hear about your husband. I have recently been told I have mets to both spleen and pancreas, add that to the previous mets to spine (L1), thyroid (thyroidectomy done in July) and a few other odd spots. My  nephrectomy was done in June 2011 and no mets until March of this year.

    Wish I had something postive to add but I am still in a learning phase. Commenced treatment with Afinitor this past Monday after Votrient failed.

    Sounds like pretty serious surgery coming up and I extend my best wishes to you both.

    Sue

     

     

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    #5
    Suekub said:

    Pancreas mets

    Sorry to hear about your husband. I have recently been told I have mets to both spleen and pancreas, add that to the previous mets to spine (L1), thyroid (thyroidectomy done in July) and a few other odd spots. My  nephrectomy was done in June 2011 and no mets until March of this year.

    Wish I had something postive to add but I am still in a learning phase. Commenced treatment with Afinitor this past Monday after Votrient failed.

    Sounds like pretty serious surgery coming up and I extend my best wishes to you both.

    Sue

     

     

    mets

    Too many of us have had our bubble burst with the discovery of metastatic disease. It just plain sucks. But it is the life we have been given and the life we are living. I'll repeat. IT IS THE LIFE WE ARE LIVING! Take a moment to get your mind around it. Then LIVE on. You can, and many of us are, enjoying our lifes despite this disease. There may be no turning back. But there is also hope in our future. Think positive. As Spock says, "Live long and prosper." So many of us continue to do well.

  • I am alive
    I am alive Member Posts: 315
    #6
    foxhd said:

    mets

    Too many of us have had our bubble burst with the discovery of metastatic disease. It just plain sucks. But it is the life we have been given and the life we are living. I'll repeat. IT IS THE LIFE WE ARE LIVING! Take a moment to get your mind around it. Then LIVE on. You can, and many of us are, enjoying our lifes despite this disease. There may be no turning back. But there is also hope in our future. Think positive. As Spock says, "Live long and prosper." So many of us continue to do well.

    Dance lessons

    You are so right, Fox. One of the biggest surprises in my cancer journey is how we LIVE with the Big C. Not many people talk about that. At diagnosis all you can think about is death, death, death. "OMG, I'm going to die of kidney cancer!" And thats all family and friends can think of too. But then time goes by, you get into the rhythm of scans and meds and doctor appointments, and the occasional new met and then the new treatment for it. And all the while your life unfolds much as it always has - there's grocery shopping and birthdays and holidays and trips to look forward to and friends to see and new movies to catch and housework to deal with. You feed the dog and cut back the bushes and tool around town, read a good book every now and then and go make dinner. Scanxiety is real, but you only go thru it once every three months or so. You learn the beauty (and utility) of living in the moment. Sometimes you can't believe you have cancer. You almost forget about it. . It doesn't seem real because it is no longer the major focus of your life. It becomes just another thing in it. Even if you are in pain from a bone met, or medicating a drug side effect. You find yourself on auto pilot - you deal with what you need to and then change the channel. You know, it's interesting to talk to really old people - folks who've made it into their 90s. You discover that so many of them  just kind of rolled with whatever life put in their path. They never subscribed to the "this is the end of the world" viewpoint when bad things happened. They just kept their heads down and kept on keeping on. And so many of them are optimists! The day will come when RCC is roundly considered a chronic disease that can be managed for decades. We're almost there now. And some of us on this board will enjoy that longevity. These are promising days. Always, always go to the light. Choose to dance. 

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    #7
    I am alive said:

    Dance lessons

    You are so right, Fox. One of the biggest surprises in my cancer journey is how we LIVE with the Big C. Not many people talk about that. At diagnosis all you can think about is death, death, death. "OMG, I'm going to die of kidney cancer!" And thats all family and friends can think of too. But then time goes by, you get into the rhythm of scans and meds and doctor appointments, and the occasional new met and then the new treatment for it. And all the while your life unfolds much as it always has - there's grocery shopping and birthdays and holidays and trips to look forward to and friends to see and new movies to catch and housework to deal with. You feed the dog and cut back the bushes and tool around town, read a good book every now and then and go make dinner. Scanxiety is real, but you only go thru it once every three months or so. You learn the beauty (and utility) of living in the moment. Sometimes you can't believe you have cancer. You almost forget about it. . It doesn't seem real because it is no longer the major focus of your life. It becomes just another thing in it. Even if you are in pain from a bone met, or medicating a drug side effect. You find yourself on auto pilot - you deal with what you need to and then change the channel. You know, it's interesting to talk to really old people - folks who've made it into their 90s. You discover that so many of them  just kind of rolled with whatever life put in their path. They never subscribed to the "this is the end of the world" viewpoint when bad things happened. They just kept their heads down and kept on keeping on. And so many of them are optimists! The day will come when RCC is roundly considered a chronic disease that can be managed for decades. We're almost there now. And some of us on this board will enjoy that longevity. These are promising days. Always, always go to the light. Choose to dance. 

    living on

    I am alive, You sure said it a whole lot better than I did! That is how I feel also. Maybe that is what I learned from all the old people I've met after 35 years in health care. You've hit it on the nose.

  • I am alive
    I am alive Member Posts: 315
    #8
    foxhd said:

    living on

    I am alive, You sure said it a whole lot better than I did! That is how I feel also. Maybe that is what I learned from all the old people I've met after 35 years in health care. You've hit it on the nose.

     

    Smile

     

  • GSRon
    GSRon Member Posts: 1,303 Member
    #9
    I am alive said:

     

    Smile

     

    Yes, what you said.. in fact

    Yes, what you said.. in fact it now amazes me that most likely it will NOT be the RCC that takes me out...!!

    Be Well All... !!  

    Ron

  • cubsfan9
    cubsfan9 Member Posts: 69 Member
    #10
    Yes, mets to pancreas

    Good Morning!

    Yes, my husband also has RCC (left nephrectomy in 2004) that metastacized to his pancreas.  This was discovered just a year ago and was a large tumor on the head of his pancreas.  We met with a surgeon and a Whipple procedure was planned.  However, after a "meeting of the minds" - surgeon who did original kidney surgery, pancreatic specialist, and oncologist- it was determined that surgery was not the best option.  Instead, he was put on Sutent and has had good results.  Kidney cancer is different in every patient and there are so many variables that you have to look at your own situation, consult with the medical people, do some research, and make the decision that is best for your case.  Best wishes as you make those decisions  As others have said, there are great resources and lots of support here and on Smartpatients.com.  ~Sharon

     

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