8.4 cm tumor on right kidney: What questions should I ask?

Posted by msvjv @msvjv, Sep 13 11:54am

Has anyone been treated for a large malignant kidney tumor? How big was it and was it removed with follow up chemo or other treatment?

I received CT urogram results yesterday with no staging but primary says it’s malignant. I can’t eat and didn’t sleep last night. I feel like I’m drowning.

I see a urologist on Tuesday. Do you have any suggestions for questions I should ask?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Kidney Cancer Support Group.

@ronsale
Thank you. I’ve read a lot about the drug and how effective it can be. I have no idea what will be recommended for me but I’m trying to get as much info as I can.

Best wishes for the remainder of your journey.

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@msvjv

@deebee41 Than you for replying. How long ago was your treatment? Mine has apparently grown to the edge of my liver and there is suspected necrosis which does not bode well. Everything I read says the larger the tumor the more likely it’s spread metastasized. I tell myself to stay off the internet but I come across all this stuff as I’m trying to educate myself. Waiting for appointments has me sleepless and weak from not eating. I wake up and feel helpless and hopeless. I think I need a sleep aid and maybe an antidepressant. I’m so glad I found this site where people are willing to share their experiences. Even if it’s stage four I’m hoping surgery and drugs will give me a few months.

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@msvjv You are reading the experiences of @deebee41 and @ronsale, and I hope that is giving you some relief. Be careful about things you read, and go to trusted sources. It's way too easy to "go down a rabbit hole" when we start searching for information, isn't it? And it's like getting a firehose of things thrown at us!

Remember, each of us has our own story. Things you might read as you research doesn't mean that will happen to you. Walk away from all that, grab a cuppa tea and a few cookies, just relax. Place trust in your medical team, ask them the questions you need to ask. Write down your concerns, journal a letter to your body and ask how you can honor it.
Ginger

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@gingerw

@msvjv You are reading the experiences of @deebee41 and @ronsale, and I hope that is giving you some relief. Be careful about things you read, and go to trusted sources. It's way too easy to "go down a rabbit hole" when we start searching for information, isn't it? And it's like getting a firehose of things thrown at us!

Remember, each of us has our own story. Things you might read as you research doesn't mean that will happen to you. Walk away from all that, grab a cuppa tea and a few cookies, just relax. Place trust in your medical team, ask them the questions you need to ask. Write down your concerns, journal a letter to your body and ask how you can honor it.
Ginger

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I’m doing the best I can with all of it Ginger. My info sources have been respected providers like Mayo and Clevland clinics. I understand that every case is different but I also know what the urogram report says and I’m trying to find out as much as I can before seeing a PA this Tuesday. I’ve already written down my questions and topics I want to discuss. I appreciate your concern.

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@msvjv

I’m doing the best I can with all of it Ginger. My info sources have been respected providers like Mayo and Clevland clinics. I understand that every case is different but I also know what the urogram report says and I’m trying to find out as much as I can before seeing a PA this Tuesday. I’ve already written down my questions and topics I want to discuss. I appreciate your concern.

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@msvjv Good for you, having that written list! It's best to write things down as they come to you.

I look forward to hearing from you after your appt on Tuesday. We're all here for you!
Ginger

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@msvjv

@deebee41
I wouldn’t be surprised if I know your friends, though our population in Harvey has grown.

Th U.P. Is a beautiful area but it’s changed a lot.

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My friends in Harvey were the Armstrongs. Jim and I were best friends since grade school. He passed from prostate cancer in 2018. He had a contracting business building prefab houses.

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@deebee41
Ok I guess I don’t know them. Probably much younger and different high school if they grew up here.

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@msvjv

@deebee41
Ok I guess I don’t know them. Probably much younger and different high school if they grew up here.

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Jim grew up in grand rapids . moved to Harvey in early70's Nice log cabin cottage on Lake Superior. His wife Mary still lives there . Son Jamey is also nearby..

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I'm so sorry for your diagnosis, you say it is 8.4 cm? Go ahead if you want some sound advice get the radical nephrectomy before talk to your doctor about boimaker testing to see what the best course of treatment is for you and how your body reacts to the treatments. That way you can pick what is best for you with your doctor. Is it localized or has it spread. You can almost stage it yourself if you read up enough. I'm guess if its localized its probably stage 3. You still have a fantastic prognosis though so eat, stay strong and don't give up. The best is yet to come

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Stay strong. This too shall pass.

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It's a difficult situation and it may be hard to stay positive, but as I deal with my situation with kidney cancer I take it a day at a time and do my best to stay positive, For example, at my last visit with one of my oncologists two weeks ago I asked him if the bleeding could come back after the high dose radiation I had of the malignant kidney lesion; the bleeding stopped over four months ago after treatment. He said that yes there was about a 20% chance that it could come back, but then said why worry about the 20% chance: just enjoy the fact that things are stable for the present and concentrate on the positive.

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