2 months between diagnosis and surgery...too long?

Terry,

One way to get to the head of the line is to have a more  serious diagnosis where mets are in play. On second thought let somebody else take cuts. Sounds like my situation and wait 12 yeas ago. So far your stats sound similar to mine and many others, No way to sugar coat the surgery, but it does beat the alternative. Read about the recoveries from those of is who preceeded you. So far the heavy stuff of mets, recurrance, medications and treatments remain unlikely.

Icemantoo

db8ne1 said:

Try not to worry

I know...easier said than done!

My doc's have been watching a tumor on my left kidney for over a year.  My urologist initially told me that since it was small we could "wait and see" - since I had "bigger fish to fry" - that being I spent all of 2013 getting treatment and surgery for Stage 3 colorectal cancer. (Chemo/radiation Jan-Feb, then surgery in April, then follow up 6 months of FOLFOX chemo, May-Sept).

My last CT in early May showed the tumor on my kidney continuing to grow.  It's still relatively small (less than 4 cm), but since it has grown between each of my 3 CT's over more than a year, its time to come out.  My research show the average growth per year is anywhwere from 0.3 - 1.0 cms.  Mine's grown 1.0 in a year.

I asked my urologist what he would do in my situation, and he said, "I'd go to Mayo".  Since that's not happening, and since my urologist only does open procedures, he indicated I might want to check out the laparoscopic procedures offered at another major hospital.  So, I did.  I'm having a DaVinci robotic partial nephrectomey on 7/8. 

Stats show, given that your mass is under 4 cm, is that per the CT scan, its probably 95% chance of cancer, and little chance for mets at this stage.  Plus, the prognosis is really good that surgery alone will take care of the issue. Of course, this is medicine, everyone's different, and there are never any guarantees.  The good news is no chemo or any other treatment is usually needed for a kidney mass at this size/stage.

Best wishes for a successful operation - and a speedy recovery.

Keep us posted!

J

I was diagnosed in October and had my kidney removed in December. My tumor was 13 cm, stage 3.....now I believe that was pushing it, but it all turned out great.

I know everyone panics....I kept having people ask me "why are they waiting so long?" I live in Canada, our patient:doctor ratio is not great. But I was lucky to have been referred to a super star doctor who was able to still remove it via laprascopy...part of the reason for the longer wait. Kidney cancer is a little different than other cancers...it usually stays contained in the kidney. Good luck and keep us posted!

Hugs

Jojo

my husband was dx with stage 4 on July 2 and had laproscopic nephrectomy on 9/20.

he had laminectomy and radiation, both adjuvant for the laminectomy and cyber for the second lesion Before the nephrectomy.

he spent 16 days and lost 25 pounds with intestinal obstruction courtesy of the strong narcotics.

i was freaking out about the delay but the primary and second lesion did not grow in the interim. His renal tumour was in the upper pole and 10 cm; it was done in under 90 minutes. This procedure is more about the surgeon's comfort and location of the tumor. He also had adrenal gland removed and there was no cancer there. All 3 scans for the last 9 months have been clean.

Sarah

aamdsi said:

Waited

About 6 weeks from diagnosis to surgery. I had a open partial in March.  Was up and "moving" the next morning (had mine early afternoon) and although spent 5 days in hospital, was off all meds on the 6th day.  It was the reaction to the heavy meds that kept me in there - once they finally beleived me and took them away - life was good. 

And now 3.5 months post-op, life has returned to "normal" for the most part. 

So, now you are 2 weeks out.  Start buying some books, get your TV/netfliks shows in order, and try to think of something else.  Soon you'll be on the "otherside" of it and can start "living" again.

diagnosed on a saturday. Open nephrectomy on tuesday.

...waiting a bit most likely wont influence your future prognosis (assuming it IS RCC).

The only risk in increased waiting time with that tumor size is if its a particular agressive subtype or grade. One other thing that could argue for a speedy surgtery is if theres macroscopic renal vein invasion, or it close to happening (your descrition about the central kidney location made me consider this). But if that was the case your onc/urologist would/should have informed you about it.

/G

You're doing well.  Everyday will be a bit better than the one before 8-). Just keep moving.

Now enjoy your summer - you've earned it. 

Laurie

Rangerk said:

It depends

One of the issues with scheduling my surgery was how busy the Atlanta area urologists are. My pain mangement issues moved surgery up after a 06/01 diagnosis to 06/24 instead of Mid-July.

i would be more concerned finding the right surgeon and not rushing it. I rolled a lucky pair of medical provider dice as the the opening in the group of urologists was a doctor who had a plan of action, top notch nursing staff and had the skill to perform everything fronm a radical nephrectomy to the Da Vinci robotic surgery I had.

Rangerk,

Who are you having do your surgery?  I've already had mine.  I'm just curioius.  I live in Athens and work in Atlanta.

Kathy

Terry T said:

thanks to GSRon...

...and all of you who have commented.  I am sure ai am just getting anxious.  Just would hate to be fiddling while Rome is burning but i am sure it would not have grown ...nor metastasized is 8 weeks’ time.  

Are you still scheduled further out than you'd like? How are you doing?

I agree with what others have said, particularly Galrim. It may not be cancer, but they are pretty good at telling that from the CT in most cases. The biggest danger is if it's got invasion into the blood supply, which is more likely to happen if it's in the center of the kidney than in the far upper/lower poles. The other is if it's a particularly aggressive form. Most likely if it's the typical type of RCC (clear cell) and one of the less aggressive types, (1-3 even), then they are very slow growing and waiting a couple of months isn't going to matter much.

However, if you experience more pain or bleeding, you might get them to move it up by complaining about that. If you are having heavy bleeding or pain, you need to communicate with them regularly. My bleeding stopped and didn't return between my diagnosis and nephrectomy.

Hope all is well with you and hope that it will turn out to be something benign.

Todd

Terry T said:

update on my situation

Hi all -

Thanks for all your notes.  I had my right kidney removed on 30 June (they could not spare it) and, 3 weeks out, I am back to work 1/2 time and walking about 6 - 7,000 steps a day.  Results were a Stage 1; grade 2 tumor and I will find out the scan schedule on Wednesday when i meet with the surgeon.  Overall, I get tired very easy, still have a moderate amount of pain (but no more pain meds!) and am feeling positive!  With the laparscopic approach, the incisions were minimal and recovery is so much faster.

That all went well and that you are up and moving forward.

Am sorry they couldn't save the kidney, but you are on the mend that's what counts 8-)  YAY on getting off the pain meds too. 

Everything esle will come back with time, just take it easy and work toward the endurance and stregthening part slowly. 

Now go enjoy your summer!  You have earned it

Laurie