Renal cell again

bc4tc
bc4tc Member Posts: 3
edited March 2014 in Kidney Cancer #1
I had left kidney removed in 2006 with large rcc mass, also lost speen, damaged during the surgery. Just had a marble size spot removed from right lung, a recurrance of the rcc. I will see an oncologist in a few days to learn more. I have so many questions and fears. What should I ask the doctor when I go? I had no treatment after the first surgery since they found no lymph node involvement. All scans and blood tests were clear all this time. The surgeon said follow up scans would problably be the same as before, without further treatment. Is the rcc still floating around in me, just waiting to settle in a new cozy spot? Do you just watch and wait for it to come back? Is there a way to find any microscopic cells and kill them before they strike again? I am 55 yrs. old and want to retire in a couple of yrs, but now I don't know if I should wait that long.I would like to hear from others who are in this situation. What advice can you give me?

Comments

  • KCFighter
    KCFighter Member Posts: 50
    #2
    Sorry to hear of recurrence
    Arming yourself with information to prepare for your appointment is the best you can do. If you haven't already, get a copy of all your lab reports and search for information on your specific sub-type of RCC (Chromophobe,Papillary, etc.) and stage. The prognosis and treatment options can depend on what sub-type you have and what stage your cancer is at. this may help you determine the best treatment option and how to approach your retirement. As for retiring, treatment...these are very personal choices to make. Something to consider if you can afford to retire is whether your insurance coverage will be maintained?

    the website you are currently on, and the one at this link may be a good start to gathering information for your appointment http://cancerguide.org/rcc_subtypes.html.

    Best to you and yours
  • bc4tc
    bc4tc Member Posts: 3
    #3
    KCFighter said:

    Sorry to hear of recurrence
    Arming yourself with information to prepare for your appointment is the best you can do. If you haven't already, get a copy of all your lab reports and search for information on your specific sub-type of RCC (Chromophobe,Papillary, etc.) and stage. The prognosis and treatment options can depend on what sub-type you have and what stage your cancer is at. this may help you determine the best treatment option and how to approach your retirement. As for retiring, treatment...these are very personal choices to make. Something to consider if you can afford to retire is whether your insurance coverage will be maintained?

    the website you are currently on, and the one at this link may be a good start to gathering information for your appointment http://cancerguide.org/rcc_subtypes.html.

    Best to you and yours

    Thanks so much. I do have my
    Thanks so much. I do have my pathology report and will start looking at the site you gave me to find out more. My insurance will be there when I retire, so at least I won't have that to worry about.
  • KCFighter
    KCFighter Member Posts: 50
    #4
    bc4tc said:

    Thanks so much. I do have my
    Thanks so much. I do have my pathology report and will start looking at the site you gave me to find out more. My insurance will be there when I retire, so at least I won't have that to worry about.

    Any news?
    That is great your insurance continues. Very luck and rare these days to have insurance continue after retirement. When you have time, please post to let us know how things are going.
  • lbinmsp
    lbinmsp Member Posts: 266
    #5
    Hello
    I had lung mets diagnosed about the same timeframe as you - my original was 2001, mets in 2006. My oncologist told me that for RCC patients who have longer periods between the original and recurrence do 'better' than most. Meaning, I guess, better than those who have recurrances within the first year or so. I asked about treatment, etc. He said that the only thing to do was close followup so that IF it recurred, the key would be quick surgical intervention. So the key is - make certain you have continued followup with CT's of chest/abdomen/pelvis and complete blood work. I've had one PET scan and one bone scan since then and so far, all clear. Good luck to you.

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