Help can a ct/scan

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Acelang
Acelang Member Posts: 19
in Kidney Cancer #1

I'm needing help understanding if a kidney mass could be distinguished by a ct.scan I was  sent to a kidney  specialist  after a 5cm mass was  found on my right kidney and was  told it could be cancer it could not be but a MRI is needed  to determine more but he's already  telling me to find a urologist I'm confused help please 

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  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #2
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    See the Urologist

    Acelang.

     

    No scans are perfect, But given the sixe of 5 cm and the possibility of Cancer you should see the Urologist and an Urologist who specializes in Kidney Cancer. A Kidney specialist (Nephrologist) deals with Kidney function and disease not the removal of Kidney Cancer. The CT is the gold standard as far as detecting Kidney Cancer, Not sure why and MRI was suggested at this point. See the Urologist first. At 5cm Kidney Cancer is very treatable with surgery alone in many if not most cases.

     

     

    Icemantoo

     

     

  • Acelang
    Acelang Member Posts: 19
    #3
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    That's my point of ct is the

    That's my point of ct is the golden standered why is he sending me for a MRI I've had ultrasound  n ct. With contrast I'm scarred he know more than he leading me on to believe  because  he gave me no hope that is was nothing to worry about expect  making me worry more by sending my to a urologist  that I can't find accepting Medicaid....maybe I'm over reacting but I have a bulge in flank area flank paid horrid  night sweats and low grade  fevers always weak n tired ect... was the chances of him knowing it's nothing by looking at ct scan 

  • APny
    APny Member Posts: 1,995 Member
    #4
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    I agree with Iceman. Find

    I agree with Iceman. Find someone specializing in kidney cancer. After my CT scan and US I was told there's a 5 percent chance it's not cancer. Until it's removed and pathology is performed there's always a chance it isn't. It could be oncocytoma, which is benign, but looks like RCC on the scan. Some of us here had MRI but most did not (to the best of my knowledge.) Wishing you the best!

  • stub1969
    stub1969 Member Posts: 966 Member
    #5
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    Scans

    I had a couple different scans when my tumor was diagnosed.  First it was a CT w/o contrast for looking at kidney stones.  The imaging doctor saw my mass and recommended an Ultra Sound.  Then I met with the surgeon and they ordered a more complete CT so they could see the mass better.  I too had a 5 cm mass that was cancer.  I strongly agree with Iceman.  Find a good urologist that specializes with RCC and get things moving.

    Good luck!

    Stub

  • Kat23502
    Kat23502 Member Posts: 179 Member
    #6
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    As someone that works in and

    As someone that works in and teaches imaging, skip the MRI and seek out a urologist. A solid renal mass has certain characteristics that we look for on CT and MR. Very RARELY are we able to distinguish something that is benign vs malignant on imaging. There are certain benign masses, an oncocytoma is one, that can show specific characteristics on MR specifically. However, the chances that a solid renal mass is one of those benign masses is only about 10% and even IF we saw some benign characteristics on MR your physician will still want to remove it. So, save yourself the time and go ahead and get in with a urologic surgeon.

  • todd121
    todd121 Member Posts: 1,448 Member
    #7
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    Urologist

    Do what Kat said. Nephrologists don't know much about kidney cancer. Find a urologist (preferably a urologic oncologist, which is a urologist with additional training in masses and their removal/treatment). That's who will do the surgery if you need one and who will probably order more imaging if needed.

    Most of don't get MRI's except of the brain.

    Best wishes,

    Todd

  • Acelang
    Acelang Member Posts: 19
    #8
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    Thanks guess I won't be

    Thanks guess I won't be getting one I'll move on to a urologist  I was called today my insurance  won't approve mri 

  • todd121
    todd121 Member Posts: 1,448 Member
    #9
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    Size of Mass

    Your 5cm mass is probably going to have to come out before they know what it is. Most of us also don't get biopsies. On kidney cancer, biopsies have a problem with false negatives, so most specialists don't depend on them. A positive means something, but a negative doesn't mean much. The size of your mass is probably going to mean you need a partial or full nephrectomy. That's a pretty good size mass. Masses are often not uniform in their makeup, so it's often needed to be sliced up and put under a miscroscope for them to figure out what it is reliably.

    But see the urologist. Like I said, urologic oncologists are preferred. They are really specialists in kidney masses and how to remove them/treat them. See if you can find a good one. One with experience with RCC is preferred, but if you get a urologic oncologist, you should be good to go. If you can't, just try to find the best urologist you can find.

    Best to you,

    Todd

  • angec
    angec Member Posts: 924 Member
    #10
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    Ace, try to hook up with a

    Ace, try to hook up with a cancer hospital if posdible, depending where you live.  Find a good urologist oncologist if possible. The quicker the better.  It has to be removed to see what it is.  All the best to you.  Get copies of all of your tezt reports and make a good folder for yourself.  Keep good records.  All the best to you.

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