Has anyone had their kidney/tumor removed through your back?

coloradogirl65
coloradogirl65 Member Posts: 16
in Kidney Cancer #1

My surgery is next Thursday and my surgeon will be going through my back to get the tumor. Has anyone had it removed this way? I'm wondering about the recovery and if it will be different, etc. Thanks for any help you can offer :-)

 

Comments

  • ImNotDeadYet
    ImNotDeadYet Member Posts: 244
    #2
    Haven't heard that before...

    ...but I suppose anything is possible, depending on the size and positioning of the tumor. I'm also in CO. Let me know if you need an oncologist referral or anything.

  • coloradogirl65
    coloradogirl65 Member Posts: 16
    #3
    ImNotDeadYet said:

    Haven't heard that before...

    ...but I suppose anything is possible, depending on the size and positioning of the tumor. I'm also in CO. Let me know if you need an oncologist referral or anything.

    Thanks :-)

    I think this is rare, but they had already tried to get it by going through my stomach and it didn't work, and the dr I had at that time was not comfortable doing an open so he closed me up and referred me to CU Health Cancer Center in Aurora. This new guy is GOOD! And very thorough - I like that. 

     

  • ImNotDeadYet
    ImNotDeadYet Member Posts: 244
    #4
    coloradogirl65 said:

    Thanks :-)

    I think this is rare, but they had already tried to get it by going through my stomach and it didn't work, and the dr I had at that time was not comfortable doing an open so he closed me up and referred me to CU Health Cancer Center in Aurora. This new guy is GOOD! And very thorough - I like that. 

     

    I go to CU in Aurora too

    I had my nephrectomy in New Jersey, where were living at the time (January 2017). But we moved here in June, and I've been very happy with everyone there (with the absolute exception of the Interventional Radiology people). My Oncologist is Dr. Elizabeth Kessler, and so far, she's been great. I've worked with the Pulmonary Nodule people and had some dealings with Cardio-Thoracic, and those have all been top-notch!

  • AnnissaP
    AnnissaP Member Posts: 632 Member
    edited December 2017 #5
    No I haven't heard of it, but

    No I haven't heard of it, but it definitely makes sense if the tumor is easier to access and it will allow you to keep part of your kidney. Good luck!

  • coloradogirl65
    coloradogirl65 Member Posts: 16
    #6
    ImNotDeadYet said:

    I go to CU in Aurora too

    I had my nephrectomy in New Jersey, where were living at the time (January 2017). But we moved here in June, and I've been very happy with everyone there (with the absolute exception of the Interventional Radiology people). My Oncologist is Dr. Elizabeth Kessler, and so far, she's been great. I've worked with the Pulmonary Nodule people and had some dealings with Cardio-Thoracic, and those have all been top-notch!

    She was my first choice!

    I really wanted her to do the surgery, but they said she was only doing pulmonary now. I got Dr Maroni, but he's amazing too. I've been totally impressed with the whole place - the first attempt was in Colorado Springs and it was nothing to brag about. Like night and day. And last time I was a nervous wreck about the surgery - this time I am much more calm, I have total confidence in Dr Maroni. If you have to go thru all this, you might as well get one of the best places in the country. :-)

     

  • coloradogirl65
    coloradogirl65 Member Posts: 16
    edited December 2017 #7
    AnnissaP said:

    No I haven't heard of it, but

    No I haven't heard of it, but it definitely makes sense if the tumor is easier to access and it will allow you to keep part of your kidney. Good luck!

    Thanks Anissa :-)

    I guess it does make sense, and I'm hoping that by doing it this way I won't have to have my stomach inflated for the surgery - I've had that before and it is no fun.

  • todd121
    todd121 Member Posts: 1,448 Member
    #8
    Failed to get it and closed you up?

    This is the first time I've heard of that happening. What kind of surgeon was that? What type of surgery were they trying to do?

    And the new surgeon? What type of specialist is it and what type of surgery are they planning to do?

    I've also not heard of anybody going through the back on this site. Maybe somebody else will respond.

    Todd

  • coloradogirl65
    coloradogirl65 Member Posts: 16
    #9
    todd121 said:

    Failed to get it and closed you up?

    This is the first time I've heard of that happening. What kind of surgeon was that? What type of surgery were they trying to do?

    And the new surgeon? What type of specialist is it and what type of surgery are they planning to do?

    I've also not heard of anybody going through the back on this site. Maybe somebody else will respond.

    Todd

    It does sound weird, haha...

    But the dr was planning a lap, and couldn't do it because of the position of the tumor, so he sewed me up and told me afterwards what had happened, and that he would have done an open but he hadn't done one since his residence days and didn't feel comfortable doing one. Which, I was glad he didn't try but imagine waking up and realizing they didn't get the tumor out of me :-/ 

    In the long run it worked out, because I have an AMAZING Dr now and I know that this time it will be taken out, no matter what. He is hoping he can do a partial lap through the back, but I might need to have the entire kidney taken out - I won't know until afterwards.

     

Discussion Boards