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Kidney cancer diagnosis

nEver-Ready

nEver-Ready

Hello everyone. I just had a CT scan last week that, surprisingly, found a 4cm x 3cm x 4cm mass in my left kidney that is probably renal cell carcinoma. That was definitely not what they were looking for or expected to find. I'm 45 with 5 boys under 12, so obviously this is scary and disturbing. Good news from the initial CT scan is that there is no evidence of spread to other organs and it appears isolated. I have a first evaluation with a specialist at Mass General Hospital in a week.

Anyway, not trying to cause a bummer, but was wondering if there was anyone in the community who had personal experience or potentially useful information to share.

Thanks!
 
brianw

brianw

The best advice I can give is 99% of beating cancer is your personal outlook. Colon Cancer here...22 years ago. 16" of my colon gone, chemo, radiation, yearly scopes... and I just had my 22 year anniversary. Alot has changed in those 22 years... Good outlook trumps all. PM me if you like
 
Spivey

Spivey

I am a cancer survivor. 16 years in remission.

You have a tough road, but you have family to help you through (here and at home) and that goes a LONG WAY. You'll be in my prayers.

The greatest thing that you can do for yourself (apart from prayer) is to maintain a positive attitude. I was taught (during my period of treatment) to visualize my body attacking the cancer. I believe that we have a certain amount of control over our "involuntary" systems: visualization and positive attitudes go a long way toward helping the body help itself.

Feel free to PM me if you ever want to chat.
 
mkc1mjb

mkc1mjb

First of all, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. My Grandmother had cancer that required removing one kidney 30 years ago. She was over 70 at the time and lived to 93 with no issues with the remaining one. Be positive and strong...there are many people pulling for you!
 
BladeRunner001

BladeRunner001

nEver-Ready said:
Hello everyone. I just had a CT scan last week that, surprisingly, found a 4cm x 3cm x 4cm mass in my left kidney that is probably renal cell carcinoma. That was definitely not what they were looking for or expected to find. I'm 45 with 5 boys under 12, so obviously this is scary and disturbing. Good news from the initial CT scan is that there is no evidence of spread to other organs and it appears isolated. I have a first evaluation with a specialist at Mass General Hospital in a week.

Anyway, not trying to cause a bummer, but was wondering if there was anyone in the community who had personal experience or potentially useful information to share.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I have been doing cancer research for almost 16 years now and it's always difficult to see people afflicted with any of the cancers. We have a family history of lung and colorectal cancers too. Having said that, you are lucky and prospect looks good. In your case, the tumor seemed to be confined to the renal parenchyma and has not metastasized, survival rate are often better than 70%. These cancers are resistant to radiation and conventional chemotherapies, but success has been reported using immunotherapy or using targeted cancer therapy strategies. There are options...Would be curious as to what you and your doctor choose.

Did you ever smoke? smoking and obesity are the strongest known risk factors as are hypertension and a family history of the disease.

Anyway, it looks like you stand a very good chance of beating this thing.

Cheers,
Robert
 
Uncle Erik

Uncle Erik

No experience with this, but want to send my best thoughts and wishes. Fight it as hard as you can and please give us updates.
 
mretzloff

mretzloff

Good luck in your fight against cancer! My prayers are with you and your family. My grandmother beat breast cancer a few years ago. I can tell you that a good outlook, as previously mentioned, really helps.

I am sure you will survive this.
 
BCatl

BCatl

Think on the bright side if you can. It was a blessing that you had the CT scan now so the discovery could be made.

My mother (79yo) is a 12 year survivor of breast cancer that the doctor originally thought was a bad case. This frail woman has put me to shame in the courage department, and she always had the attitude that it would turn out well and so far it has.
 
stormpetrel

stormpetrel

My mom just finished with her fourth and final round of chemo following mastectomy...we think the cancer is gone!! We've gone from the lowest of low and now it's the best feeling in the world to know she is going to be healthy once again. (She's 60) Good luck...talk to your wife/gf/whomever... if your scared it helps so much to talk openly about everything.
 
nEver-Ready

nEver-Ready

BladeRunner001 said:
I have been doing cancer research for almost 16 years now and it's always difficult to see people afflicted with any of the cancers. We have a family history of lung and colorectal cancers too. Having said that, you are lucky and prospect looks good. In your case, the tumor seemed to be confined to the renal parenchyma and has not metastasized, survival rate are often better than 70%. These cancers are resistant to radiation and conventional chemotherapies, but success has been reported using immunotherapy or using targeted cancer therapy strategies. There are options...Would be curious as to what you and your doctor choose.

Did you ever smoke? smoking and obesity are the strongest known risk factors as are hypertension and a family history of the disease.

Anyway, it looks like you stand a very good chance of beating this thing.

Cheers,
Robert
Click to expand...

Hey everyone. Thanks so much for all the personal stories, encouragement and offers for PMs. This forum is very special for so many different reasons, but none more so than the fact that it is a true community. I will certainly draw comfort and strength from all of your comments, well-wishes and offers to chat, and I just may take one or more of you up on that as I get into this.

And Robert, thanks for sharing the results of your research. That's similar to the message that I've gotten thus far. Just keeping my fingers crossed that it's isolated. As for risk factors, that's a bit of a mystery. I never smoked and have never been overweight. Interestingly, I have a half brother (same father) who had kidney cancer 10 years ago and had successful surgery (no recurrence to date). His mother, my dad's first wife - no relation to me - died in 1959 at the age of 29 of kidney cancer. Only common factor was living for an extended period in my childhood home in New Jersey. Who knows, possibly the whole thing is just a stroke of random bad luck. One other possible risk factor for me is that I used diuretics for a number of years to treat a balance disorder that I have (Meniere's disease) - I've read that can possibly increase likelihood.

Anyway, thanks again to everyone.
 
Mazeman

Mazeman

I'm sure you've done your own internet searching...

Sounds like the tumor is still relatively small, and the odds are very much on your side. Plus, you're in good hands.

None of this info makes it easy, but try to remain upbeat.

You're gonna beat this. You're in my prayers.
 
BladeRunner001

BladeRunner001

nEver-Ready said:
Hey everyone. Thanks so much for all the personal stories, encouragement and offers for PMs. This forum is very special for so many different reasons, but none more so than the fact that it is a true community. I will certainly draw comfort and strength from all of your comments, well-wishes and offers to chat, and I just may take one or more of you up on that as I get into this.

And Robert, thanks for sharing the results of your research. That's similar to the message that I've gotten thus far. Just keeping my fingers crossed that it's isolated. As for risk factors, that's a bit of a mystery. I never smoked and have never been overweight. Interestingly, I have a half brother (same father) who had kidney cancer 10 years ago and had successful surgery (no recurrence to date). His mother, my dad's first wife - no relation to me - died in 1959 at the age of 29 of kidney cancer. Only common factor was living for an extended period in my childhood home in New Jersey. Who knows, possibly the whole thing is just a stroke of random bad luck. One other possible risk factor for me is that I used diuretics for a number of years to treat a balance disorder that I have (Meniere's disease) - I've read that can possibly increase likelihood.

Anyway, thanks again to everyone.
Click to expand...

Hi Mike...you're welcome. I also work (day job, when I am not doing cancer research on the side - I have a startup biotech for this :001_cool:) at the House Ear Institute as their Director of Technology & Project Development (another title for useless tool, basically :biggrin1:). They are doing top notch research into Meniere's (as well as clinical practice). Not sure where you are, but if you ever wanted to hook up with good doctors, I have a few I can recommend and if you come here, I'll make sure they give you the treatment you deserve :thumbup:

I would genuinely be curious about how things go for you. keep me (and the rest of us) posted.

Best,
Robert
 
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