Newly diagnosed

At 3.7 cm it's most likely confined. Mine was 3.4 or 3.5 can't remember. It's very scary when you first find out and your anxiety hijacks your imagination. I made my looming surgery out to be horrible and it wasn't. Didn't enjoy it and wouldn't want to do it again but the reality was nowhere near as bad as how I envisioned it. Mine was an open procedure yet I was still home the third day with an under 4 inch incision that healed very nicely and I had no issues. Most likely surgery will be the end of it for you. Find someone with extensive experience with kidney cancer and nephrectomies, especially partial ones. The size of your tumor could possibly qualify for partial, depending on location. Many say lap/robotic is the way to go but if that's not possible, the open version is not much worse in my experience. Comparing stories to mine there was no significant diff in pain and recovery.

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis , but you are in right place for information. There are  a wide range of experiences that are told on this Forum on the surgery. Mine was in April and as in past posts it was bad just not as bad as I had imagined. Read as many past posts as possible and ask any questions that come up. You will be given information you need. We were all at the point you are now..just further in the journey. Positive thoughts your way for you and your family.

Fear is a very normal reaction.  I think if you weren't scared, we'd have some real concerns.  The good news is that you've caught it early and your prognosis is almost guaranteed to be great!  Start making plans for all the fun things you'll be doing with that grandbaby.  We've been blessed with quite a few and they are a blast.  Okay, sometimes a bit challenging to be honest, but always memory making.

Best wishes and keep us posted.

Donna~

Diagnosed June 23, 2017 with what the Radiologist calls a "2.2cm hypervascular mass arising from the superior pole of the left kidney, statistically, renal cell carcinoma."  So off we go to the Urologist and another round of tests.  Already had an ultrasound and CT in the ED for chest/abdomen pain.  The second set of CT tests revealed (quoting the radiologist), "There is redemonstration of a 2.2 cm arterially hyperenhancing mass within the posteromedial left upper renal pole."  And, again states a "statistically renal cell carcinoma."

Schedule for a 10:00 AM surgery for September 8th in Medford, Oregon.  Was told it will be a rebotic surgery and to expect a partial kidney removal; BUT, there was no guarentee that a full kidney removal wouldn't happen due to the location of the tumor.

Worried more about what else!  My father died from cronic kidney failure and refused to have a CT to further diagnose; so, I don't know if he had cancer (died in 2012 - he did know he had a problem for more than four years - I found out by gaining access to his medical records last week).  My grandfather died from some type of kidney disease in 1974.  And, my Great-grandfather died from a stomach carcinoma in 1942.  My grandmother on my dad's side died from some type of cancer in 2001.  Oh, my sister had breast cancer and went through treatment only to learn she has some type near her pelvis (need to find out more).  And, I've learned my aunt on my mother's side died from cirrhosis of the liver (genetic version).  My grandfather on my mother's side died from lung cancer (black lung disease). 

I also have per the radiologist a "diffuse hepatic hypoattenduation indicating steatosis" of the right upper lobe of my lung. And, a "2 to 3mm non calcified subpleural pulmonary micronodule in the caudal aspect."  With demonstrated minimal dependent atelectasis in the lower lobes of both lungs.  Not to mention another radiology note about my right kidney: "there are also simple bilateral renal cortical cysts, including a 4.3cm lesion arising from the superior interpolar region of the right kidney posteriorly."  With, "patchy areas of renal cortical scarring present bilaterally."

I feel like a train wreck and the surgery hasn't happened yet.

Welll, Rockspin, WE are your ROCK! We'll be here for you all the way. Its good to hear from others who have been through this to know what to expect. Have you ever had any surgery before?

Keep asking questions. I did when I first came here. As a result, I was so prepared to communicate with my Urologist/surgeon. 

Mine was just over 4cm, but near blood supply so had a nephrectomy. I am doing fine 3.5 years later!!

Keep living each day, with more meaning! Expect a good recovery!!

Hugs and Hope, Jan

Jan

All the best to you for surgery and recovery. You never know; someone has to be in that 2 - 3 percent. I was told there's a 5 percent chance so here's hoping that's what it is!

APny said:

At 3.7 cm it's most likely

At 3.7 cm it's most likely confined. Mine was 3.4 or 3.5 can't remember. It's very scary when you first find out and your anxiety hijacks your imagination. I made my looming surgery out to be horrible and it wasn't. Didn't enjoy it and wouldn't want to do it again but the reality was nowhere near as bad as how I envisioned it. Mine was an open procedure yet I was still home the third day with an under 4 inch incision that healed very nicely and I had no issues. Most likely surgery will be the end of it for you. Find someone with extensive experience with kidney cancer and nephrectomies, especially partial ones. The size of your tumor could possibly qualify for partial, depending on location. Many say lap/robotic is the way to go but if that's not possible, the open version is not much worse in my experience. Comparing stories to mine there was no significant diff in pain and recovery.

sorry same story just three days ago... scared is the word as I have already lost my husband. To cancer.... 

what stage and grade did they tell you

Glad to hear you are over the worse

Wehavenotimeatall said:

Apny

sorry same story just three days ago... scared is the word as I have already lost my husband. To cancer.... 

what stage and grade did they tell you

Glad to hear you are over the worse

Stage 1 but grade 2/3. I posted in your other thread saying that most likely the surgery will be the end of it. I'm sure you're just stage 1 also. It's very scary when you first hear of it. I was a wreck but the great people on this forum helped tremendously. So sorry to hear about your husband.

Wehavenotimeatall said:

Oh dear..

Oh dear..

 you always hope for one or two

 

how are you doing now

I'm doing fine, thank you! The grading process is weird. My oncologist explained to me that it was mostly grade 2 cells but since there was a certain number of 3 cells the pathologist went wtih the higher grade. It sounds like the grading is a bit subjective and up to the pathologist to call.