Good news as long as it holds true

Phredswife said:

Great news!

 Awesome news DS Frey! Wishing you well. Melissa

DS,

While the odds are strongly in your favor for a full recovery their have been stories of recurrance or spreading even with small tumors.

Keep the follow up going as long as your insurance company will pay for it..

Icemantoo

Hi DS,

First of all congratualtions on the good prognosis :-)

Your urologists approach however seems out of sync with common practise. I have never heard of anyone before being advised to "flip a coin" when it comes to follow-up scans. Even at low recurrence risk the standard is minimum a 2-3 year follow-up scheme.

The risk, in your case, of recurrerence is very very small, but its still there nonetheless.

/G

DSFrey said:

On the other hand...

I did also see an oncologist last week and while he said I didn't need his services since the urologist was doing my follow ups he did schedule me to see him again in 6 months in case the urologist didn't want to continue the follow ups. So I guess I'll see the oncologist in December and see what he says for certain.

Here is my take.  Yes, that Oncologist is sending a good message, I think..  First yes you need the follow up, "just in case."  But he / she does not need to do it.  This may sound odd, but a good Oncologist has plenty of patients with Mets.. usually more than they can handle.  So, if you have a competent Urologist, that follow up is fine, besides the Radiologist is the first one to spot anything suspicious on the scans.   However, your Oncologist is also saying.. he / she is there for you.!  Odds are you won't need that Oncologist ever... but.. knowing he/she is there for you, hopefully provides some comfort.  Good Luck..!!!

Ron

I think your Urologist should stick to what he is trained to diagnose and treat, although very positive uplifting, I am confused at his choice of words "cured"  Have heard of RCC tumors being frozen and then it is a wait and see type deal.   As far as I know currently, there is only one way of curing renal carcinoma (kidney cancer) any stage, at least that is what our Drs at UHOP have told us with 4th stage RCC with METS.  You need to follow the pros who have actually tried this method, which as far as I know, is not practiced in Philadelphia, closest is Pittsburgh PA  There is a brand new clinical study on 3rd phase/humans that is very promising and after completion of this clinical trial will hopefully be approved by FDA soon, which certainly sounds like could be another less-evasive possible cure.  Havnt followed you so not sure if you had PET scans done, although usually doesn't detect kidney tumors, but usally finds the usual suspects where they MET, ie. kidneys, lungs, femurs, pelvic etc. I agree with all others that you should be proactive and if you don't have a team of RCC Drs get at least one immediately that you trust and follow his instructions.

DSFrey.   You know I have been reading and commenting on a few of your posts.  And I am just so happy for you that you received this good news.  Congratulations.  I think it must be a huge relief to be given this news and to give your mind a rest from  all the worries for awhile.  Best wishes.  Enjoy the summer.

Annie