here's my story

lizzie909
lizzie909 Member Posts: 3
edited April 2016 in Kidney Cancer #1

Jan 1st I went to the e.r with pains which I thought was kidney stones. I had a ct scan done and it showed a mass (4.5cm) in my left kidney. Drs told me it was an abscess, gave me antibiotics and sent me home. I went to my primary Dr who suggested I do another ct scan to check size, I went for that ulrasound Feb 16. It slightly increased so I was sent to urology as ssoon as I seen the Dr he kept telling me that it was very unlikely for my self to have kidney cancer. After looking at a ultrasound result from 2013 showing a cyst of 1.3cm the urologist told me he did not deal with this case so I seen a new Dr who sent me straight to the hospital, had some tests done. The Dr went over everything with me, he said he said he wanted to go in and remove it immediately. Three days later I had half my kidney removed. Turned out be renal cell carcinoma its been 2 weeks since post op and I feel pretty good. I'm scared a lot thinking the cancer will return. Esp since the Dr doesnt suggest chemo. Has anyone ever heard of that ?  I feel like I should get a 2nd option. 

Comments

  • foroughsh
    foroughsh Member Posts: 779 Member
    #2
    Hi and welcome to our board,

    Hi and welcome to our board, what happened next? A 4.5 cm mass in one's kidney is something one should take seriously,

     I was 36 years old at the time of diagnosis, the first urologist who I talked to couldn't believe the US report, he kept telling me it was impossible at my age to have such a large toumor, but the good point was he sent me for CT which proved the mass to be cancerous. So take it seriously and find a urologist who have well reputation in RCC.Even if the mass is malignant, it's small and you're  hopefuly stage 1. Stage 1 patients have very good chance to get rid of cancer after nephrectomy.

    Forough

     

     

  • APny
    APny Member Posts: 1,995 Member
    #3
    foroughsh said:

    Hi and welcome to our board,

    Hi and welcome to our board, what happened next? A 4.5 cm mass in one's kidney is something one should take seriously,

     I was 36 years old at the time of diagnosis, the first urologist who I talked to couldn't believe the US report, he kept telling me it was impossible at my age to have such a large toumor, but the good point was he sent me for CT which proved the mass to be cancerous. So take it seriously and find a urologist who have well reputation in RCC.Even if the mass is malignant, it's small and you're  hopefuly stage 1. Stage 1 patients have very good chance to get rid of cancer after nephrectomy.

    Forough

     

     

    Hi Lizzie

    Was your CT scan with contrast? I think cancerous tumors show up differently from a cyst or abcess. I agree that you should find someone knowledgeable who can give you a definitive answer. And yes, even if worse comes to worst, it's small and surgery, if possible just a partial, will most likely be the end of it.

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #4
    APny said:

    Hi Lizzie

    Was your CT scan with contrast? I think cancerous tumors show up differently from a cyst or abcess. I agree that you should find someone knowledgeable who can give you a definitive answer. And yes, even if worse comes to worst, it's small and surgery, if possible just a partial, will most likely be the end of it.

    Get a second opinion

    Lizzie,

    The anwswers  you are getting do not seem right  for 4.5 cm. Get a copy of the reports. Are you sure it is not 4.5mm? Get a second opinion from a Urologist preferably one specializing in Kidney Cancer.

     

     

    Icemantoo

  • lizzie909
    lizzie909 Member Posts: 3
    #5
    foroughsh said:

    Hi and welcome to our board,

    Hi and welcome to our board, what happened next? A 4.5 cm mass in one's kidney is something one should take seriously,

     I was 36 years old at the time of diagnosis, the first urologist who I talked to couldn't believe the US report, he kept telling me it was impossible at my age to have such a large toumor, but the good point was he sent me for CT which proved the mass to be cancerous. So take it seriously and find a urologist who have well reputation in RCC.Even if the mass is malignant, it's small and you're  hopefuly stage 1. Stage 1 patients have very good chance to get rid of cancer after nephrectomy.

    Forough

     

     

    I updated my story

    I updated my story

  • lizzie909
    lizzie909 Member Posts: 3
    #6
    APny said:

    Hi Lizzie

    Was your CT scan with contrast? I think cancerous tumors show up differently from a cyst or abcess. I agree that you should find someone knowledgeable who can give you a definitive answer. And yes, even if worse comes to worst, it's small and surgery, if possible just a partial, will most likely be the end of it.

    I updated my story

    I updated my story

  • Footstomper
    Footstomper Member Posts: 1,237 Member
    #7
    Chemo

    here's not a lot of chemo that works with kidney cancer. Loads of medicines, but not Chemo. I dont know about other people but after a while I told people that my meds were chemo just because that what they expected. Do you have a grade for your rcc? There seems quite a bit missing from your story.

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #8
    Footstomper said:

    Chemo

    here's not a lot of chemo that works with kidney cancer. Loads of medicines, but not Chemo. I dont know about other people but after a while I told people that my meds were chemo just because that what they expected. Do you have a grade for your rcc? There seems quite a bit missing from your story.

    Updated

    Lizzie,

     

    As updated you dated your story now makes sence. No you do not need a second opinion regarding chemo. It is not needed unless it spreads after the surgery. That is what scans are for. At 4.5 cm it is not common for it to spread after surgery. I was nephed 13 1/2 lucky years ago and so far nothing but the surgery and scans.

     

    Icemantoo

  • Jan4you
    Jan4you Member Posts: 1,330 Member
    #9
    icemantoo said:

    Updated

    Lizzie,

     

    As updated you dated your story now makes sence. No you do not need a second opinion regarding chemo. It is not needed unless it spreads after the surgery. That is what scans are for. At 4.5 cm it is not common for it to spread after surgery. I was nephed 13 1/2 lucky years ago and so far nothing but the surgery and scans.

     

    Icemantoo

    Glad you found us and shared

    Glad you found us and shared your story. Hope your recovery is going well.

    My turmor was about the same size as yours so its probably Stage I, right?No other treatment necessary and now its over 2 years NED (no evidence of disease)

    And no, you do not need chemo if stage I. That is for most with RCC and stage Ithere is no other treatment necessary. You WILL be monitored for few years though.

    Glad its over and you are on your way.

    Let us know how you are doing.

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