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Kidney cancer should i seek cancer doctor at this time
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May 28, 2013 - 3:39 pm
hello just had right kidney removed because of RCC. Should i have consulation with an oncologist ?
following is information from my pathology report ::::
Fuhrman grade G3: Nuclei verty irregular, approximatley 20 um: nucleoli large and prominet (does this mean)
tumor limit to kidney.
Pathologic Staging (pTNM) Primary Tumor (pt) pT1b: Tumor more than 4 cm but not more than 7 cm in the greatest dimensions, limited to the kidney
Uroligist did not recommend to see any one else. just said we will do ct scan in 1 yr and 10-20 % chance cancer can reappear in you system
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Joined: Apr 2013
Several things...
Im not a doctor, but Im pretty sure no one here will disagree to the following:
Fuhrman grade 3 and first control scan after 1 year? Even with a relatively small tumor as yours, that sounds a bit too relaxed an attitude by your urologist.
Grade 3 and 4 statistically has a four time higher recurrence risk. Even though your small tumor puts you in a low risk group I would seriously question the 12 month interval.
10-20 percent? With a stage 1 even when grade 3 your risk is lower than that. Sounds like he/she just threw a number at you.
And lastly, especially when considering the above, yes you should see an oncologist, if nothing else then at least to discuss your control intervals.
All that said, keep a positive attitude. You were caught early and will be around for many years to come :-)
/G
Joined: May 2013
Thanks for your input
Galrim
yes my doctor is one of the Best around in our area "but feel he just threw numbers at me also"
it really hard asking him questions
Joined: Oct 2012
Advice
I fully agree with Galrim...
"Should i have consulation with an oncologist?"
YES. ABSOLUTELY.
Joined: Feb 2013
Are you looking at my
Are you looking at my pathology report?
Word for word it is identical. Thanks for asking this question. It has been rattling around in my head for days!
Galrim and Nano, thanks for the response!
I already wrote my Primary for his thoughts.
Michael
Joined: May 2013
Seek another doctor for consulation
Michael
You are saying that your Pathology report is pretty close to mine as i documented.
I am going to use the advise of the Nano and Galrim and make a appointment with an onconlogist.
best of luck to you
Joined: Feb 2013
Me Too!
I have already contacted my Primary Care Physician to start the ball rolling. I'll discuss this with my urologist on Monday.
Joined: May 2013
Seek another doctor for consulation
Michael
You are saying that your Pathology report is pretty close to mine as i documented.
I am going to use the advise of the Nano and Galrim and make a appointment with an onconlogist.
best of luck to you
Joined: Dec 2012
RCC Oncologist
I strongly encourage seeing someone with some experience in treating RCC. The best choice is someone that is an RCC expert at one of the cancer centers, if you can. The second best choice is a doctor that has had a few RCC patients (recently) and is up-to-date on the latest treatments.
My understanding is that standard of care is at least a CT scan of abdomen/pelvis and a chest xray at 4-6 month intervals for first 2 years, then yearly to 5 years. My urologic oncologist didn't encourage me to see an oncologist, and I was Stage T3a. The first oncologist I saw had no experience with RCC (a young oncologist with some experience treating prostate cancer and some other urologic cancers, but not RCC), and he gave me completely inaccurate information regarding the likelihood of recurrence of my cancer. On the other hand, I had a spot on my femur which he wanted to investigate, and the urologic oncologist wasn't interested.
From there, I saw 2 RCC experts and got much better information including information on drug trials they offered which might reduce my chance of recurrence.
A medical oncologist is a much different specialist than the surgeon you saw (who is most likely either a urologic oncologist or a urologist). They really don't have interest or expertise in metastatic RCC. They remove kidneys and parts of kidneys, prostates, stuff like that.
Todd
P.S. Did you summarize your pathology report? Because it sounds very strange. Usually there is wording about the location of the tumor and whether it had any vascular invasion or not. If you go somewhere else, I suggest sending your pathology slides also and get a second opinion. The cancer center pathologists are more experienced at looking at cancer. It's what they do all day.
Joined: Nov 2011
Advice
I believe that's sound advice from Todd.