Crazy journey

RandaLeigh,

     I was diagnosed in August of 2011 and had my right kidney removed.  In March of 2013 I had the lower portion of my right lung removed and then in November of 2013 I had a tumor removed from my brain all diagnosed as RCC.  I have now been NED since December 2013 and my next set of scans are scheduled for May.  I am not sure if kidney cancer has a preference of where it will spread, but I would definitely call my oncologist and let him/her know what you may have found.  It is much easier to find out what you are dealing with and how to fight, then to lay awake at night wondering!

     I will be hoping and praying for the best results for you.  Remember we are all here to help each other cope and to remain strong for whatever the results turn out to be!

                                                   Praying for good health!

                                                    Brenda

My husbands CT's are Chest, Abdomen and Pelvis.  His are actually PET/CT's because he has bone mets.  Anyway, to answer your question:  I have been reading for about two years or so anything I can and I haven't read anything about RCC in the breast.  Typically RCC if it metastasizes in Adrenal gland, lungs,  and bone.  Wouldn't a mammogram be the standard way of evaluating breast tissue?   It is probably nothing, but still should be evaluated by a physician.

Hi there, I have read one other instance of someone having both breast and rcc simultaneously.  But as Twinthings said, it can be nothing at all. However, I would speak to the Oncologist about getting  a whole body pet/ct scan, instead of the chest ct, especially in view of the lump found in breast. This can check all areas at once.  Then I would also go to the gynecologist and see if they recommend a breast mamo and a breast songogram.  Good to have them both together the same day to compare.  

Do you have a copy of your path report? What was the size of tumor? Did they do a partial kidney removal? Sounds like it.  Stage one is very early and is very good. Grade 3 just means it is growing at a faster pace, but at least not grade 4 which is aggressive. So all of this can be just coinidence with the breast and the lump can be a normal cyst. Try not to worry too much.

Try to always get copies of all of your tests, blood work, scans etc. Keep it in a file in case you ever need a second opinion. I also sent mom's slides out to be rechecked by a notable cancer hospital for a second opinion.  Especially if they have not been able to identity the type of rcc. 

The urologist is not the person to be seen when it comes to cancer.  Good thing you found a good oncologist.  Always follow up with him/her. Be sure to continue to get scans every three months until the doc says you go to six months then a year from that rate.  But good to have abdomen, pelivs and lungs scans all at once, if they don't agree to the whole body/pet ct scans.  

If you care to share your path report maybe we can give you more information.  Take care of yourself and don't worry too much, it can all be nothing and hopefully with a small tumor removed you can possibly be cured.  Please let us know.... xxoo

RandaLeigh said:

Thank you guys for all the

Thank you guys for all the kin words! I really appreciate them more than you know. I had a mammogram and ultrasound done yesterday and the clinic nurse said that the results were inconclusive and Md wants another ultrasound in 6 months. This is like déjà vu to me...ugh! I'm picking up a copy of the reports today. So stressful!! I also have a chest ct today.

Hang in there, girl! 

It seems waiting is the hardest part.  I think I would find much comfort in "inconclusive", being that you had both mammogram and ultrasound.  If the doctor reading the scans says 6 month f/u, that's a good thing.  If he really thought there was cause for concern, he would likely have recommended 3 mo f/u vs 6 month.  I would breathe a sigh of relief and move forward.  The worst thing you can do is spend the next 6 months worrying about it.  Worrying won't change the outcome, it'll just weaken your immune system and compromise your health.

Let us know how your chest ct goes.  Keep your chin up and think positive thoughts.  We are all pulling for ya!!

twinthings said:

Hang in there, girl! 
It

Hang in there, girl! 

It seems waiting is the hardest part.  I think I would find much comfort in "inconclusive", being that you had both mammogram and ultrasound.  If the doctor reading the scans says 6 month f/u, that's a good thing.  If he really thought there was cause for concern, he would likely have recommended 3 mo f/u vs 6 month.  I would breathe a sigh of relief and move forward.  The worst thing you can do is spend the next 6 months worrying about it.  Worrying won't change the outcome, it'll just weaken your immune system and compromise your health.

Let us know how your chest ct goes.  Keep your chin up and think positive thoughts.  We are all pulling for ya!!

 

"Worrying won't change the outcome. It'll just weaken your immune system and compromise your health." Good advice.

It is hard to do but when you catch yourself worrying, think about how you are taking a positive action in dealing with this. It helps alot.

GSRon said:

The only thing I can add is

The only thing I can add is that in general, the medical staff have alot more experience with breast growths / tumors / Cancer than the do with Kidney Cancer.  Hope this helps..

Ron

That's exactly what I was thinking, Ron!  Great minds...

I couldn't help but notice your post was at 1:23...in the morning.  You must be a night owl, like me.