Questions, confused, and anxious...

Lupuslady
Lupuslady Member Posts: 6
edited August 2015 in Kidney Cancer #1

My kidneys have been checked via ultrasound every 6 months for the last 2 years (an emergency Appendectomy 2 summers ago revealed cysts.) I have bilateral complex cysts that are growing  (but slowly). I just had another renal ultrasound and the report reads that I have a new "superior" cyst on my rt kidney and multiple new simple cysts.

 

I've not heard the term "superior", and received my results online through my "mychart" page as my PCP is out of Country for the next few weeks. 

 

What does "superior" mean?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Lupus lady AKA (Kristi)

Comments

  • Lupuslady
    Lupuslady Member Posts: 6
    #2
    More info

    The original complex bilateral cysts a12x11x14 mm. 

    And 1.9x1.6x1.3 cm

     

    New "superior" cyst is 23x18x17 mm

  • a_oaklee
    a_oaklee Member Posts: 566 Member
    #3
    Lupuslady said:

    More info

    The original complex bilateral cysts a12x11x14 mm. 

    And 1.9x1.6x1.3 cm

     

    New "superior" cyst is 23x18x17 mm

    The word "superior", is

    The word "superior", is describing a location.  It means "above", or higher up, in relation to something.

     

     

  • Lupuslady
    Lupuslady Member Posts: 6
    #4
    a_oaklee said:

    The word "superior", is

    The word "superior", is describing a location.  It means "above", or higher up, in relation to something.

     

     

    Thankyou, It's been confusing

    Thankyou, It's been confusing to me and I was in the hospital 4 days last week.in "Acute renal failure" due to the antibiotic  (bactrim), I was being treated for an infection due to a fall/abrasion that turned into cellulitis.

     

    My GFR is 38, hematuria has been detected and my creatinine is 3.0.

  • a_oaklee
    a_oaklee Member Posts: 566 Member
    #5
    Lupuslady said:

    Thankyou, It's been confusing

    Thankyou, It's been confusing to me and I was in the hospital 4 days last week.in "Acute renal failure" due to the antibiotic  (bactrim), I was being treated for an infection due to a fall/abrasion that turned into cellulitis.

     

    My GFR is 38, hematuria has been detected and my creatinine is 3.0.

    Sorry to hear you have been

    Sorry to hear you have been having a difficult time.  I do hope that you feel better soon.   I fell and hurt my leg and ended up with cellulitis too.  Wasnt hospitalized though.  Your case must have been bad.  I hope you are seeing a doctor for your kidney cysts that you have faith in.

  • sblairc
    sblairc Member Posts: 585 Member
    #6
    Lupuslady said:

    Thankyou, It's been confusing

    Thankyou, It's been confusing to me and I was in the hospital 4 days last week.in "Acute renal failure" due to the antibiotic  (bactrim), I was being treated for an infection due to a fall/abrasion that turned into cellulitis.

     

    My GFR is 38, hematuria has been detected and my creatinine is 3.0.

    Acute Renal failure vs your kidney cysts

    Hi and welcome. 

    I'm so sorry to hear of your hospitalization and your kidney failure due to an antibiotic. That must have been painful. 

    I'm sure you are getting very good inspection of your kidneys. Has there ever been a CT scan? Obviously they can't do it with contrast dye while you are in acute renal failure but have you ever had one? Just wondering if you had or not. 

     

    I hope you are feeling better, this is a good place for support and information although most here have had cancer surgery. 

  • Lupuslady
    Lupuslady Member Posts: 6
    #7
    sblairc said:

    Acute Renal failure vs your kidney cysts

    Hi and welcome. 

    I'm so sorry to hear of your hospitalization and your kidney failure due to an antibiotic. That must have been painful. 

    I'm sure you are getting very good inspection of your kidneys. Has there ever been a CT scan? Obviously they can't do it with contrast dye while you are in acute renal failure but have you ever had one? Just wondering if you had or not. 

     

    I hope you are feeling better, this is a good place for support and information although most here have had cancer surgery. 

    Thankyou.  No, my Physician

    Thankyou.  No, my Physician has been actively monitoring for 2 years no CT thus far. I believe active surveillance is due to the complex cysts being small and slow growing. I sometimes feel like not enough is being done, but also realize the 6 month ultrasounds are a safety measure. I guess what I'm trying to say is that doing this scans every 6 months and being told repeatedly that my kidneys are under active surveillance creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear with no resolution in sight.

     

    I realize for those of you that are battling diagnosed cancer, my concerns may seem trivial

     Waiting and not knowing is diffi7. I'm also on a 6 month rotation for breast cysts so all this monitoring is crazy making!!!

     I'm only under the care of a PCP,should I have had a referral for a Urologist?

    Thanks for responding.

  • sblairc
    sblairc Member Posts: 585 Member
    #8
    Lupuslady said:

    Thankyou.  No, my Physician

    Thankyou.  No, my Physician has been actively monitoring for 2 years no CT thus far. I believe active surveillance is due to the complex cysts being small and slow growing. I sometimes feel like not enough is being done, but also realize the 6 month ultrasounds are a safety measure. I guess what I'm trying to say is that doing this scans every 6 months and being told repeatedly that my kidneys are under active surveillance creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear with no resolution in sight.

     

    I realize for those of you that are battling diagnosed cancer, my concerns may seem trivial

     Waiting and not knowing is diffi7. I'm also on a 6 month rotation for breast cysts so all this monitoring is crazy making!!!

     I'm only under the care of a PCP,should I have had a referral for a Urologist?

    Thanks for responding.

    I totally get what you are saying.

    Your comment about "creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear with no resolution in sight" is something I relate to (my husband is the kidney cancer survivor, Stage 3). He gets scans every 6 months but I know they can't tell me if the cancer is 100% gone since it could be in his bloodstream lurking). I feel like you do sometimes. 

    Perhaps with this new development a CT scan is warranted??

    I don't see your orignal post this second, but I believe I recall you have a new cyst.

     

    I would DEFINATELY look at a referral to a specialist. Absolutely. 

  • APny
    APny Member Posts: 1,995 Member
    #9
    sblairc said:

    I totally get what you are saying.

    Your comment about "creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear with no resolution in sight" is something I relate to (my husband is the kidney cancer survivor, Stage 3). He gets scans every 6 months but I know they can't tell me if the cancer is 100% gone since it could be in his bloodstream lurking). I feel like you do sometimes. 

    Perhaps with this new development a CT scan is warranted??

    I don't see your orignal post this second, but I believe I recall you have a new cyst.

     

    I would DEFINATELY look at a referral to a specialist. Absolutely. 

    I agree. See a urologist,

    I agree. See a urologist, preferably one with a lot of experience with kidney issues. I can understand your anxiety regarding all this uncertainty but perhaps a urologist can offer a different perspective than your PCP.

  • Lupuslady
    Lupuslady Member Posts: 6
    #10
    APny said:

    I agree. See a urologist,

    I agree. See a urologist, preferably one with a lot of experience with kidney issues. I can understand your anxiety regarding all this uncertainty but perhaps a urologist can offer a different perspective than your PCP.

    Thankyou

    My PCP is new and spends alot of time overseas. To add to the kidney cysts I also have Lupus (systemic) & feel he's overwhelmed. He mentioned a Urologist referral months ago,then forgot.

  • Jan4you
    Jan4you Member Posts: 1,330 Member
    #11
    Lupuslady said:

    Thankyou

    My PCP is new and spends alot of time overseas. To add to the kidney cysts I also have Lupus (systemic) & feel he's overwhelmed. He mentioned a Urologist referral months ago,then forgot.

    First of all, I am so sorry

    First of all, I am so sorry you are going through all these hoops, acute infections and Lupus, I know is no fun. Enough already, eh?

    Does your insurance need a referral to see an Urologist? Otherwise, gather your reports from your ultrasounds and bring them to him. Some docs can see other testing even if not in the same health corporation. I would not wait. That way you will get the correct advice and proper following up, even if you need a CT.

    Again, we're here for you okay hon? Let us know what you learn.

    Sending you a gentle hug~

    Jan

  • Lupuslady
    Lupuslady Member Posts: 6
    #12
    Jan4you said:

    First of all, I am so sorry

    First of all, I am so sorry you are going through all these hoops, acute infections and Lupus, I know is no fun. Enough already, eh?

    Does your insurance need a referral to see an Urologist? Otherwise, gather your reports from your ultrasounds and bring them to him. Some docs can see other testing even if not in the same health corporation. I would not wait. That way you will get the correct advice and proper following up, even if you need a CT.

    Again, we're here for you okay hon? Let us know what you learn.

    Sending you a gentle hug~

    Jan

    Thankyou

    Unfortunately I've gone from excellent private insurance to State Insurance and my "quality" of care has eroded with the coverage limitations. I don't want to offend anyone here,but I'm glad I found a community of support. 

  • a_oaklee
    a_oaklee Member Posts: 566 Member
    #13
    Lupuslady said:

    Thankyou

    Unfortunately I've gone from excellent private insurance to State Insurance and my "quality" of care has eroded with the coverage limitations. I don't want to offend anyone here,but I'm glad I found a community of support. 

    Pcp.  Is that a general

    Pcp.  Is that a general practitioner?  You really need a specialist.  Either a urologist or nephrologist.  Get all your reports of the ultrasounds and make an appointment.

     

  • APny
    APny Member Posts: 1,995 Member
    #14
    a_oaklee said:

    Pcp.  Is that a general

    Pcp.  Is that a general practitioner?  You really need a specialist.  Either a urologist or nephrologist.  Get all your reports of the ultrasounds and make an appointment.

     

    Yes, PCP is the primary care

    Yes, PCP is the primary care physician. Lupuslady, remind your PCP about the referral and do see one as soon as possible. I feel bad for you having to handle so much on your plate. Jan is right; enough is enough. Hugs.  

Discussion Boards