29 years old, mother of 6, 4.5 cm lesion.

Hanny,

Get yourself to a Urologist who specializes in Kidney Cancer if you have not already done so. At 4.5 cm you should have an excellent prognosis. It appears however too large to just monitior. If that advice was from a Urologist get a second opinion. As for the 4,4mm nodule it could be nothing and they will monitor to see if it grows with a follow up scan in 3 or 6 months.

Icemantoo

Hanny21 said:

Also, is there any for sure

Also, is there any for sure way to know if it is cancer or not other than doing a biopsy? That's basically my only option right? And is it a high chance this size is cancer, and is it accompanied by pain on that side that goes to the back usually? Sorry for all the questions, I am just so uncomfortable with this. Maybe tmi, but I also pee about 30 times a day and they did find a left retroaortic vein.. whatever that is. Just remembering more symptoms.. A lot of the stories I have read, people have had smaller masses which were cancer, that makes me nervous.. 

Don't worry too much since it is still relatively small. But definitely not something to ignore about. Did you have a CT with and without contrast. Since enhancement is what they are looking for if it is malignant.

Do follow through to see that it's taken care of. Good to hear you've got support and are close to family. As you get going to specialists they'll be able to sort this all out. 

As a caregiver, you've already got "super powers" that you're using. Keep us posted as you're able. 

Hi Hanny.  Sorry you have to be here, but it's certainly a goodplace for advice.  Here's my $0.02 worth.

1.  I've been told different things about biopsies.  Most of what I've heard is to avoid getting a kidney biopsy because of the small risk of cancer potentially spreading from the needle stick.  However, I've also seen and heard some docs say it's such an unlikely problem that it's not a reason to get a biopsy.  My urological oncologist said I did not need to get one.

2.  In regard to the suggestion to get a urological oncologist, I wholeheartedly agree.  If you're comfortable doing so, could you tell the board where you're generally located.  With the wealth of experience here, I'm sure someone can refer a fantaastic urological oncologist and, if need be, a surgeon.  If you're in my general area, the Stanford Hospital and Clinics is a top-notch place.  My urological oncologist was Dr. Harcharan Gill and he could not have been more knowledgable, caring or compassionate.  My surgeon was Dr. Geoffrey Sonn and once I got over the fact that he looked like he had just graduated from college (God, doctors seem very young when you're 61), I found him to be an excellent surgeon.  My surgery was done robotically and he is an expert in that.

Best wishes for a good resolution to your issues.

You've received a lot of great advice from some of our members about your kidney mass, gallbladder, and biopsy.  I have bilateral Medullary Sponge Kidney (MSK), so let me touch on that.  If you've started to do some research on this you know that most people are diagnosed with MSK in their late teens.  No symptoms other than kidney stones.  This was the case with me.   My first stone was found during my junior year in high school.  I had been cutting weight during wrestling season and terrible pain in my right side caused an emergency trip to the ER.  Soon after I received my formal diagnosis.  Many people experience ongoing pain from the number of stones.  I'm fortunate in that I have not had any pain; well, other than when I pass larger stones.  I would recommend ongoing surveillance from a nephrologist for MSK.  He/she speciaizes in diseases of the kidney and can provide you with excellent ongoing care.   

Please private message me if you have specific questions around MSK or my journey with kidney cancer and I'll do my best to help.

Wishing you only the best!

Stub

I asked a friend that is more familiar with this term than I.  (she's a doctor that I use to work with)  It's a relatively uncommon congenital anomaly of the renal vein passing behind the abdominal aorta.  But as explained to me, the good news is that it may very well account for some of the pain you describe experiencing.  No big deal, generally speaking, especially if it calms your fears about the discomfort right?  Just a structural thing.

Now, as far as the biopsy thing.  In my opinion, I wouldn't do it.  But that's just me.  As far as I'm concerned, I had an invader growing where it didn't belong and the docs were quite sure that the cyst was cancer, my reaction was "get it out".....NOW!  Sure enough, it was cancer and since "Bob the Blob" hadn't invaded any other areas I am happy to say that almost 5 years later I still have NED hanging with me.  (NED = No Evidence of Disease)  Hopefully, you don't have cancer, but if you do chances are VERY good, removal will take care of it and you can get on with celebrating life.

I'll be praying for you,

Donna~

Biopsies are done all the time on the kidney (contrary to popular belief).  Sometimes they are really necessary and must be done.  That was the case with my husband.  They had to be CERTAIN what type of cell it was (renal or transitional).  A lot of the time, though, they aren't done.