Speed of tumor growth?

todd121
todd121 Member Posts: 1,448 Member
in Kidney Cancer #1

Hi all. I had a clean scan August 18th (no contrast though). I was Stage 3 ccRCC (grade 3) and had my nephrectomy 2 years ago this month.

I've been having pain that is pretty non-specific, but it feels like it could be in my ribs on the right side (same side as my surgery) and just above my incision. It's away from the incision. The pain is pretty consistent for 3 days now. It's worse when I wake up in the mornings (that's the side I sleep on). I sure don't remember doing anything as far as pulling anything or running into anything. The pain does seem to be getting a little worse over the 3 days now that I've been watching it. It's making me really nervous.

I did make an appointment to see my family doctor. My oncologist has told me to see him first with such issues, since I'm not under his care at the moment.

I'm just wondering if I could go from nothing to a tumor that I could feel in 3 months? Is that even possible? If it is, I'll push my family doc to get me a CT. If it's not, maybe I'll just wait. My next scans aren't scheduled until late February.

Thanks.

Todd

Comments

  • angec
    angec Member Posts: 924 Member
    #2
    Todd, hopefully it is

    Todd, hopefully it is nothing. What type of scans have you had? Were they full body/ct/petscans?  Did they include the bones?  If so, then most likely it can be something else.  Let us know how it goes.  Hugs!

  • todd121
    todd121 Member Posts: 1,448 Member
    #3
    angec said:

    Todd, hopefully it is

    Todd, hopefully it is nothing. What type of scans have you had? Were they full body/ct/petscans?  Did they include the bones?  If so, then most likely it can be something else.  Let us know how it goes.  Hugs!

    Thanks

    It was CT scans of chest/abdomen/pelvis without contrast. The last nuclear bone scan I had was over 18 months ago which was clean.

    Todd

  • NanoSecond
    NanoSecond Member Posts: 653
    #4
    Very hard to say

    I think it will depend if your tumor (if indeed that is what it is) is near a nerve.  Also, be aware of "phantom" pains.  These are pains that can originate away from the actual site of the inflammation.

  • angec
    angec Member Posts: 924 Member
    #5
    todd121 said:

    Thanks

    It was CT scans of chest/abdomen/pelvis without contrast. The last nuclear bone scan I had was over 18 months ago which was clean.

    Todd

    Nano, if he had a rib met it

    Nano, if he had a rib met it would show up on the CT wouldn't it? It probably is just a sore muscle.... but get it checked anyway.

  • NanoSecond
    NanoSecond Member Posts: 653
    #6
    angec said:

    Nano, if he had a rib met it

    Nano, if he had a rib met it would show up on the CT wouldn't it? It probably is just a sore muscle.... but get it checked anyway.

    Rib Met

    I think it probably should, yes.

  • todd121
    todd121 Member Posts: 1,448 Member
    #7
    NanoSecond said:

    Rib Met

    I think it probably should, yes.

    The one in August?

    You're thinking it should have shown up in August if I'm feeling it now? I don't remember the growth rates, but it seems to me they are pretty slow for bone mets.

    I'll just go see the doctor. I know I should. Even if just for peace of mind.

    But my primary care doctor doesn't know squat about RCC. That might be a good thing, since he might be safe and just have a CT done just in case. 

    I keep thinking I'm going to get over these panic attacks when I have "issues". Lol. 2 years may not be enough time. 

    Thanks!!

    Todd

  • Jojo61
    Jojo61 Member Posts: 1,309 Member
    #8
    todd121 said:

    The one in August?

    You're thinking it should have shown up in August if I'm feeling it now? I don't remember the growth rates, but it seems to me they are pretty slow for bone mets.

    I'll just go see the doctor. I know I should. Even if just for peace of mind.

    But my primary care doctor doesn't know squat about RCC. That might be a good thing, since he might be safe and just have a CT done just in case. 

    I keep thinking I'm going to get over these panic attacks when I have "issues". Lol. 2 years may not be enough time. 

    Thanks!!

    Todd

    Todd, you are expressing what

    Todd, you are expressing what most of us think whenever we feel pain, or feel ill. But it is definitely legitimate. Get it checked out. After I had my nephrectomy I told the doctor that I will be coming for every ache and pain. I haven't gone for everything, but I have gone a lot more often than I would have before. He has been great about it all. Don't be so hard on yourself. But try not to feed your anxiety (easier said than done, I know!)

    Hugs

    Jojo

  • vinnyc
    vinnyc Member Posts: 19
    #9

    I'm a former CT/MRI tech. My CT scan did not show my multiple rib mets. Ribs are just too thin, curved and angled to show up well on a perpendicular CT Slice. Kidney cancer can spread very fast. Two years is  plenty of time for healing.

  • Srashedb
    Srashedb Member Posts: 482 Member
    #10
    Ribs

    Todd, my husband had a bone scan last August which was unremarkable except for a "minimum uptake" on the 8th rib but no lytic lesion.

    He is scheduled for follow-up on 12/15; he has no pain at all; the bone scan report referenced a ct scan as being consistent with this; there was no comment at all in that report and the onc looked at the CD and blew it off.

    his primary thinks it is likely a bump he never noticed getting. 

    Let us know what the results are.

    Sarah

  • danbren2
    danbren2 Member Posts: 311
    #11
    You are your primary!

    Todd,

         One thing have I learned from this sight is that we are responsible for our own well being.  If you feel something may be going on, whether it has been 3 days, 3 months or 3 years since your last scans, I would have it checked out.  Wishing you the best of luck, and praying only good news for you!

                                                     Prayers for good health,

                                                      Brenda

Discussion Boards