Complicated Cryoablation

MattyMar
MattyMar Member Posts: 7

Diagnosed with RCC for third time in 4 years. First time was nephrectomy, second time cryoablation with bleeding complications. If the doctor does a cryoablation this time in order to avoid losing my only kidney he says it is so close to my liver he will have to "puncture" my liver with the probe to get to the tumor. he will attempt to save me from cancer , but the complications from the liver may be what does it....to say I'm beside myself with fear would be a good assumption. Bleeding is a major concern, not to mention hepatitis. His response to my concerns....you can always have your kidney taken out and go on dialysis! And that was the end of his short conversation! Needless to say I'm going for a second opinion from another Interventional Radiologist with a better attitude that's much farther away which causes other issues.Tired, scared and trying to stay strong.

Comments

  • Phredswife
    Phredswife Member Posts: 162
    Hi

    Hi Mattymar.

    Sorry you have to be here. I am a newbie at dealing with kidney cancer. My husband was diagnosed late December so I don't know as much as most people here. Hopefully your second opinion will make things more clear and less scary for you.

    There is another website called smartpatients where some of the patients have great ideas about which surgeons are best at different procedures, clinical trials etc. Maybe look it up but also stay here so we can support you thru this. Hugs Melissa.

  • MattyMar
    MattyMar Member Posts: 7

    Hi

    Hi Mattymar.

    Sorry you have to be here. I am a newbie at dealing with kidney cancer. My husband was diagnosed late December so I don't know as much as most people here. Hopefully your second opinion will make things more clear and less scary for you.

    There is another website called smartpatients where some of the patients have great ideas about which surgeons are best at different procedures, clinical trials etc. Maybe look it up but also stay here so we can support you thru this. Hugs Melissa.

    Phredswife/smartpatients

    I will look it up. Thank You so much!! For the hugs too!!

  • APny
    APny Member Posts: 1,995 Member
    MattyMar said:

    Phredswife/smartpatients

    I will look it up. Thank You so much!! For the hugs too!!

    I'm so sorry you're going

    I'm so sorry you're going through all this. Your doctor's response was totally insensitive and I would definitely get another doctor. Also, seek out the best possible hospitas and surgeon near to where you live so that you can get the optimum care. You need someone who is really experienced with RCC.  My thoughts are with you!

  • imsure32
    imsure32 Member Posts: 11
    hi mattymor

    Duh! Looks like I'm the one having problems with this site and the message boards! Ha! I'm sorry to hear about your cancer. I know my problem isn't as bad as yours but I do know your fear! And I am here for you! I would like to talk! I don't know anyone else yet that has had a recurrence. . If you wanna talk about your experience let me know. .. your In my prayers sweetie! Donita

  • MattyMar
    MattyMar Member Posts: 7
    APny said:

    I'm so sorry you're going

    I'm so sorry you're going through all this. Your doctor's response was totally insensitive and I would definitely get another doctor. Also, seek out the best possible hospitas and surgeon near to where you live so that you can get the optimum care. You need someone who is really experienced with RCC.  My thoughts are with you!

    APny

    Thank You, I am hoping to get a second opinion from University Hospital where I had my nephrectomy. Doctor is out til next Monday. Hope to hear something soon. Waiting is hard!

  • MattyMar
    MattyMar Member Posts: 7
    imsure32 said:

    hi mattymor

    Duh! Looks like I'm the one having problems with this site and the message boards! Ha! I'm sorry to hear about your cancer. I know my problem isn't as bad as yours but I do know your fear! And I am here for you! I would like to talk! I don't know anyone else yet that has had a recurrence. . If you wanna talk about your experience let me know. .. your In my prayers sweetie! Donita

    imsure32

    Thanks, having someone to talk to sure helps!

  • todd121
    todd121 Member Posts: 1,448 Member
    This Doctor

    What type of specialist is this? An interventional radiologist? Have you seen a urologic oncologist with RCC experience? (even general urologic oncologist would be better than none). Why aren't you a candidate for a partial?

    Having the met to a second kidney is very rare without mets anywhere else. Have you had further staging? (Usually a CT with/without contrast if possible of the lungs/abdomen/pelvis and if mets are seen an MRI of the brain to follow). If your experiencing multiple mets in kidneys only, you may need to look into genetic testing. They've done a lot of research at NIH/NCI on genetic kidney cancer and they are quite good at managing it and preserving kidney function.

    Are you receiving treatment? I would think most medical oncologists with RCC experience would want to put you one of the TKI's or something at least ASAP. Have you seen a medical oncologist (preferably one with RCC experience)?

    It sounds to me like you need more opinions from more experienced specialists, but maybe I don't know the whole story. The more opinions the better. If you are having trouble finding someone, post your area and maybe others here can help you find someone. You can also search for RCC trials in your area, and look for the contact person on the trial. That may lead you to a doctor with RCC experience.

    Please let us know.

    Wishing you the best,

    Todd

  • MattyMar
    MattyMar Member Posts: 7
    todd121 said:

    This Doctor

    What type of specialist is this? An interventional radiologist? Have you seen a urologic oncologist with RCC experience? (even general urologic oncologist would be better than none). Why aren't you a candidate for a partial?

    Having the met to a second kidney is very rare without mets anywhere else. Have you had further staging? (Usually a CT with/without contrast if possible of the lungs/abdomen/pelvis and if mets are seen an MRI of the brain to follow). If your experiencing multiple mets in kidneys only, you may need to look into genetic testing. They've done a lot of research at NIH/NCI on genetic kidney cancer and they are quite good at managing it and preserving kidney function.

    Are you receiving treatment? I would think most medical oncologists with RCC experience would want to put you one of the TKI's or something at least ASAP. Have you seen a medical oncologist (preferably one with RCC experience)?

    It sounds to me like you need more opinions from more experienced specialists, but maybe I don't know the whole story. The more opinions the better. If you are having trouble finding someone, post your area and maybe others here can help you find someone. You can also search for RCC trials in your area, and look for the contact person on the trial. That may lead you to a doctor with RCC experience.

    Please let us know.

    Wishing you the best,

    Todd

    Todd121-I agree

    Yes, dealing with Interventional Radiologist at this time referred by urologist. He is the only one that does cryo in my area.There were some complications with my first cryo with this doctor. I am not anxious to go back to him. I want to go back to Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee where I had my nephrectomy. I agree I need further testing and more options and definitely an oncologist! It's time to get with a doctor that is going to take this to the next level. After 3 times, enough with the quick fix and send me on my way. I overnighted my CT CD to them and the doctor I will be seeing at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center is out til next Monday. I'm hoping I'm one step closer to getting it taken care . Thank You so much for the information. It helps to have another's perspective about what else can be done Some days my brain is so muddled and overwhelmed I can't think straight.Thanks Again!

  • todd121
    todd121 Member Posts: 1,448 Member
    MattyMar said:

    Todd121-I agree

    Yes, dealing with Interventional Radiologist at this time referred by urologist. He is the only one that does cryo in my area.There were some complications with my first cryo with this doctor. I am not anxious to go back to him. I want to go back to Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee where I had my nephrectomy. I agree I need further testing and more options and definitely an oncologist! It's time to get with a doctor that is going to take this to the next level. After 3 times, enough with the quick fix and send me on my way. I overnighted my CT CD to them and the doctor I will be seeing at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center is out til next Monday. I'm hoping I'm one step closer to getting it taken care . Thank You so much for the information. It helps to have another's perspective about what else can be done Some days my brain is so muddled and overwhelmed I can't think straight.Thanks Again!

    Good luck

    Hope you get better options with other opinions. Please keep us updated.

    Todd