just diagnosed

sorry   You are here.  It’s a terrible shock  

#Second of all.. don’t panic

What Info did  they give to you

Size.

Location

Annie

Welcome!  First of all, try to take a deep breath and collect yourself.  If they did find the mass early, consider yourself lucky.  Reoccurance with stage 1 is small.  I'd encourage you to get some answers before you start searching google.  As much as we all want answers--google is not the place to seek them.  Let us know what you find out from your doctor.  We'll help as much as we can. 

Take care.

Stub

I know it's difficult, but you should try very hard NOT to google the hell out of kidney cancer.  The internet is great for a lot of things, but finding consistent medical information is not one of those things.  You can look at ten different websites and find out ten completely different views on just about anything.  Plus, treatment of kidney masses is improving at light speed in the last few years, so many of the websites you'll find are way out of date.  I agree with the folks above.  Ask your questions here.  Pretty much everyone here has gone through what you're going through and there are representives of every type of kidney cancer as well as eveery type of treatment, and the people here are incredibly giving.

You are definitely not alone. I was diagnosed on Monday ... Surgery scheduled for January 16th. I've been freaking out all week but trying to maintain a positive attitude. Timing seems to be everything with this cancer.. The sooner they find it the better. I will tell you... When you go to have your CT scan... That contrast isn't anything nice! They are also going to fill your kidneys and bladder with liquid...I had to go to the bathroom so bad.. And the tech was wanting to talk Christmas shopping... Lol!! I was like...I gotta go to the bathroom NOW!! She said.. Sit still baby we almost done. That contrast will make everything very hot... Even my breath was super hot. 

You will want to know if he/she agrees with the radiologist (esp. about the cyst), how they can get the carcinoma out with the best oncological outcome, what they foresee for your immediate convalescence and what follow up scans, frequency, etc they would recommend.  You really only need one kidney so don't be freaked out if they suggest total removal of the left one - depends where in the kidney the tumour is located.

And you'll get a lot more - this is just a start.

Best wishes.

I'm surprised the radiologist was so definitive about it being RCC. While the chances are statistically high that it is, my surgeon/oncologist at Sloan kettering said there's always a 5 percent chance that it isn't. And we've had several people on this forum for whom it turned out to be an oncocytoma, which is benign. But there's no way to tell prior to surgery and pathology. So hold out some hope that you're in the lucky 5 percent, and if not, at least it was found early and you can get it out.

My advice is to take someone with you when you consult the urologist. Anxiety makes us miss a lot of what is being said so an extra pair of ears are always a good idea. Ask about types of surgery you could have (partial, laproscopic, robotic, etc.) and make sure you find someone who has extensive experience with partial nephrectomies if that type of suregery is possible with the location of the tumor.

All the best to you!

advice very well summarised above

Read them carefully and be fully prepared but I know you are doing that already

Unfortunately the waiting is dreadful as you are left in limbo usually planning  all sorts  and wondering  how on earth has this happened

at 4.5 it needs to go asap

the three cruical things are

a) As Fox says a Surgeon who is experinced in partial and full nephrectomies.

Depending how far into the kidney  the mass is you may be forced to do a full but many people prefer to use a surgeon who will promise that a full will only  be usEd after they have failed at doing the partial

  how quick they can schedule the op.. speed is always very important when it is over 4cm

 c)no one will be able to tell you much  or anything until it is removed and they have the full pathology verified by both  a Histologist and your Surgical team.. until  then you will drive yourself crazy imaging every possible scenario.try not to do that.

The bad news it is there.. the good news it is found very early 4.5  in Many cases is very easily removed and a full recovery made and never heard of again

 many reports state that under 4 cm the chance of malignancy is reduced but bear in mind  that over 4 cm 80% of tumours are cancer

I wish you well

we are here any time

keep us posted..

Annie

looking for explanations why. The time wasted is never recoverable. Move on. Look forward to tomorrow with only positive thoughts.

If you live to 100, worrying stops you from being well. If you are to die wednesday, why waste it? You and everyone who cares for you will only remember how miserable you were at the end. It is up to you.

Cindy T in Washington said:

Thank you all so much for

Thank you all so much for your experience and wisdom.  Many years ago I worked in an industry that used trichorhexaline (spelling?) for cleaning metal.  I have found in 2 different searches about causes of kidney cancer that this compound is carcinogenic and particulary prone to causing kidney cancer.... I am wondering if this could potentially have caused my kidney tumor.....   Also am wondering about the cyst in the other kidney.   The waiting for the appointment just sucks!  I want to get this done...

Thanks everybody.

Hi Cindy, I had a 7.5cm tumor on my left kidney. Doc told me not to worry, because it was located near some blood vessels it was agreed to do a radical nephrectomy. Since my surgery I have had zero issues and all of my follow ups have found everything to be clear. I feel absolutely normal. So there is a good chance you will be fine. Coincidentally, I worked in a urethane plastic factory when I was young. I cleaned metal daily with Methylene Chloride. I suspect that may be a factor. Since I’ve worked as a Firefighter for 40 years it’s kind of hard to pinpoint the cause. Good luck. Keep us posted.