Symptoms that you have experienced with kidney cancer?

lismor
lismor Member Posts: 15
edited March 2014 in Kidney Cancer #1
I am currently being further evaluated as I have a 4 cm cyst on my left kidney found by CT scan. Radiology report suggests that I have an ultrasound done to further evaluate. My question is this: What signs or symptoms did you reconize and look back now and think that it was related to you having kidney cancer? pains , high blood pressure, dizziness, fevers, etc. Just doing some research of my own. So your personal experiences would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much! Hope everybodys well = )

Comments

  • dejorgensen
    dejorgensen Member Posts: 13
    #2
    I was nauseated a lot and gained a bunch of weight very quickly. Then I lost about 25 pounds in 2 weeks right before my renal cell carcinoma (the tumor was the size of a lemon) was found. I also had a very minor backache that came and went, and my ankles and feet would swell a lot. And here's an odd one: I fell down a lot. I've always been clumsy, but I didn't fall down. I was told that none of these were symptoms; however, they disappeared when the kidney was removed. That was all 8 years ago, so just keep a good thought. If I can do it, you can, too.
  • lismor
    lismor Member Posts: 15
    #3
    thanks! Yes there are all kinds of symptoms that patients experience that the medical community do not recognize as being connected thus enforcing my reason to ask this question. Our bodies all react differently. Glad to hear your doing good. Thank you for the encouragement = ) Take care, lisa
  • JoBubba
    JoBubba Member Posts: 8
    #4
    Hi, my husband, MilasR has kidney cancer. His first symptom that we knew about was blood in the urine. He had high blood pressure which had spiked suddenly about 5 years before the cancer was discovered. He has had normal BP since the kidney was removed. Several docs said this was the very first symptom of the cancer. Also, looking back on it, he had night sweats and probably low grade fevers. He also got increasingly tired, but he was working like a fool and we didn't think much of that. He also got quite big and blotted around the middle. He has a herniated disc in his lower back and often had back pain, so did not catch that symptom, either. The pain in his side and hip from the mets appeared before the blood. But, the spiking BP was the real telltale, as they checked his heart out and all was fine. If we knew then what we know now....Feel free to email me. My husband, MilasR would also be happy to communicate with you, I am sure.
  • liz107
    liz107 Member Posts: 1
    #5
    JoBubba said:

    Hi, my husband, MilasR has kidney cancer. His first symptom that we knew about was blood in the urine. He had high blood pressure which had spiked suddenly about 5 years before the cancer was discovered. He has had normal BP since the kidney was removed. Several docs said this was the very first symptom of the cancer. Also, looking back on it, he had night sweats and probably low grade fevers. He also got increasingly tired, but he was working like a fool and we didn't think much of that. He also got quite big and blotted around the middle. He has a herniated disc in his lower back and often had back pain, so did not catch that symptom, either. The pain in his side and hip from the mets appeared before the blood. But, the spiking BP was the real telltale, as they checked his heart out and all was fine. If we knew then what we know now....Feel free to email me. My husband, MilasR would also be happy to communicate with you, I am sure.

    HI I JUST WAS DIAGNOIS WITH KIDNEY CANCER 3 WEEKS AGO. TOLD I HAVE TO GET THE LEFT KIDNEY REMOVED I AM 57 YEARS OLD VERY NERVOUS ABOUT IT ANY ADVICE ABOUT THE SURGERY I HAVE TO GO FOR A CHEST XRAY AND A BONE SCAN WEDS. DID YOUR HUSBAND HAVE TO ALSO.I HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSSURE ALSO HAVE NOT SMOKED IN 20 YEARS. I AM GLAD YOUR HUSBAND IS DOING WELL
  • Chicago
    Chicago Member Posts: 73 Member
    #6
    liz107 said:

    HI I JUST WAS DIAGNOIS WITH KIDNEY CANCER 3 WEEKS AGO. TOLD I HAVE TO GET THE LEFT KIDNEY REMOVED I AM 57 YEARS OLD VERY NERVOUS ABOUT IT ANY ADVICE ABOUT THE SURGERY I HAVE TO GO FOR A CHEST XRAY AND A BONE SCAN WEDS. DID YOUR HUSBAND HAVE TO ALSO.I HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSSURE ALSO HAVE NOT SMOKED IN 20 YEARS. I AM GLAD YOUR HUSBAND IS DOING WELL

    Hey Liz,

    Hang in there. The operation to get the whole kidney removed is actually a lot easier than just the partial removal. Just make sure you get it done laproscopically. Smaller incision, and much, much faster healing time.
  • Chicago
    Chicago Member Posts: 73 Member
    #7
    Hey Lisa,

    Your tumor is just a little bigger than mine was when they found it. Which is a good thing -- the smaller, the better.

    I had NO symptoms whatsoever. And that is often the most insidious thing about kidney cancer. I am told that in most cases, there are no symptoms to let you know there is a problem until after the cancer has spread beyond easy surgical removal.

    I was incredibly lucky. I had to go to the ER on a totally unrelated emergency, and they found the cancer by accident, and in time. I probably would have never known about it otherwise until it was too late (not one to go to the doctor easily).
  • rosieroon
    rosieroon Member Posts: 5
    #8
    Hi! In April of '03 I was diagnosed with Stage I RCC in my right kidney after having sporadic blood in my urine for 4 months.

    In Dec '02 I had an IVP after my first episode with BIU and it came back negative, so they though I had passed a kidney stone. A few months later I had the BIU again and was told it was a "bad urinary tract infection". Then, after two weeks, I had trouble breathing with minor chest pain (heartburn??) and was sent to a German hospital (we were based in Germany and had previously gone to a military clinic). They gave me Heprin for my chest pain, which causes me to have terrible right flank pain along with the bleeding. After multiple ultrasounds, a CT scan, an IVP and a cystoscopy (?) -- a procedure where they look into the bladder, etc -- I was diagnosed. Two weeks later at Landstuhl Medical Center I had a radical nephrectomy. BTW, the military docs at Landstuhl were fantastic.

    Several years before the BIU I was found to have high blood pressure, after having had low blood pressure my whole life. I wonder if perhaps they should've looked further into the cause of the HBP instead of just treating the symptoms? In any case, I've had two check ups and everything is fine. I'm just thankful they were so thorough at the German hospital.

    Take care -- Linda
  • lismor
    lismor Member Posts: 15
    #9
    Chicago said:

    Hey Lisa,

    Your tumor is just a little bigger than mine was when they found it. Which is a good thing -- the smaller, the better.

    I had NO symptoms whatsoever. And that is often the most insidious thing about kidney cancer. I am told that in most cases, there are no symptoms to let you know there is a problem until after the cancer has spread beyond easy surgical removal.

    I was incredibly lucky. I had to go to the ER on a totally unrelated emergency, and they found the cancer by accident, and in time. I probably would have never known about it otherwise until it was too late (not one to go to the doctor easily).

    I had my ultrasound wont get those results til next week. But I was informed that this cyst actually is measuring about 5 cm. Not sure what the next step will be. I am very happy to know there are quite a few people on here that have gone or are going through this that I can turn to for support and questions. I'm very happy to have found this board. God bless all of you = )
    Chicago, I'm so glad they found yours so early. Hope your doing great!
    JoBubba I sent you an email hope you received it = )
    Liz hang in there! Will keep you in my prayers = ) You'll be just fine.
    Linda, Thank you for sharing your experience! I too have high blood pressure and the funny thing is I'm only 31! Along with other symptoms,lots of them actually. I do have another question for everyone.
    Was your kidney cancer a cyst or a solid mass? Also how big was it when they discovered it? You guys are wonderful! And I do thank you for taking the time to share your experience and knowledge = ) Hope all is well with everyone. Take care, Lisa
  • MarthaF
    MarthaF Member Posts: 2
    #10
    I had no apparent symptoms, but I wonder if my sense of increased constipation, somehow "higher up", was a symptom? That kidney & its tumor were sitting right on/near my large intestine. Also in recent years, esp. in summer, a lot of ankle swelling - which my doctor and I attributed to excess sitting, past sprain, some varicosity - but now I wonder. Time will tell I suppose. The blood pressure comments interest me, mine's been towards the high end (but actually, for many years, so maybe not related). My tumor was 6-7 cm, stage I, apparently completely encapsulated (and now apparently all gone).
  • autumneve
    autumneve Member Posts: 6
    #11
    MarthaF said:

    I had no apparent symptoms, but I wonder if my sense of increased constipation, somehow "higher up", was a symptom? That kidney & its tumor were sitting right on/near my large intestine. Also in recent years, esp. in summer, a lot of ankle swelling - which my doctor and I attributed to excess sitting, past sprain, some varicosity - but now I wonder. Time will tell I suppose. The blood pressure comments interest me, mine's been towards the high end (but actually, for many years, so maybe not related). My tumor was 6-7 cm, stage I, apparently completely encapsulated (and now apparently all gone).

    Hi, I am new to the forum and will have a nephrectomy on this coming Thursday (Nov.04) and would like to know what to expect afterwards in regards to feeling and recuperation.Thank you, gtrip
  • autumneve
    autumneve Member Posts: 6
    #12
    liz107 said:

    HI I JUST WAS DIAGNOIS WITH KIDNEY CANCER 3 WEEKS AGO. TOLD I HAVE TO GET THE LEFT KIDNEY REMOVED I AM 57 YEARS OLD VERY NERVOUS ABOUT IT ANY ADVICE ABOUT THE SURGERY I HAVE TO GO FOR A CHEST XRAY AND A BONE SCAN WEDS. DID YOUR HUSBAND HAVE TO ALSO.I HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSSURE ALSO HAVE NOT SMOKED IN 20 YEARS. I AM GLAD YOUR HUSBAND IS DOING WELL

    Hi, i am 56 y/o and will be having a nephrectomt this coming Thurs., Nove.4th. I was just wondering how you have been doing since July. I do hope you are ok.Blessings gtrip
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #13
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

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