Renal Cell Carcinoma: Whar are long term effects of losing a kidney?

Posted by Traci M @tmoore83, Dec 28, 2024

Hi, I just joined connect and this is my first post. I was recently diagnosed with a Bosniak Renal Cell Mass. I was told by my Dr here in Oregon that due to the location of the mass, it was inoperable and he also ruled out Ablation. He wanted to take a wait and see approach. Well I’m not one to wait for it to grow so I can see it metastasize. Thankfully I was accepted here at Mayo in AZ and within a week I was able to be seen. My surgeon told me that he will attempt to remove it and do a partial Nephrectomy, however depending on bleeding, he may have to do a Radical Nephrectomy. He won’t know until he gets in there. I was also told that they have also discovered multiple tumors that appear to be benign yet have some characteristics of the Bosniak mass. This all feels overwhelming. I’m trying to weigh the pros and cons of just opting for a radical Nephrectomy and being done with it. Has anyone dealt with this sort of thing and were there long term effects of losing a kidney?

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koke | @koke | Dec 29, 2024

I am unfamiliar with Bosniak renal cell. I have stage IV unclear renal cell carcinoma. I’ve had a radical nephrectomy. It’s been a little over 2 years and I feel good. The first 6-8 months, I was a bit slow since I was sore and my body was adjusting, I absolutely feel no different from having 2, now 1 kidney. I do watch what I eat and drink…lots of liquid, no soda, no alcohol and smaller lighter portions.
I’m glad you got a second opinion. Prayer for you!
Koke

ashtenrae | @ashtenrae | Dec 30, 2024

Hello my name is Ashten and my partner was just diagnosed with stage 3 renal cell carcinoma. Where she was able to get a full right nephrectomy last month. All this is new to us(3months new). Traci I’m so glad you got a second opinion. You got this and us in this group. Prayers for everyone going through this right now.

jv1715 | @jv1715 | Dec 31, 2024

Hi Ashten, just curious, how did they find the cancer.
In my case, it was by 'accident'. My doctor recommended a CT scan for my lungs as I smoke cigars.
Lungs looked good, but they saw 'something' in my right kidney. So he ordered a kidney scan and found a growth or mass. Biopsy confirmed it was clear cell carcinoma, stage 1, 3.6 cm.
I had cancer removed (10% of my kidney) on 12/12/24.
Surgery went well and recovering now.

Lynne Marie | @lbrockme | Jan 1 11:08am

I am sorry to hear about your challenges. It is unsettling news, I know.
I have had 2 partial nephrectomy, 90 days apart. I Had blood in urine, CT revealed 2 separate masses one on each kidney. Right kidney was papillary renal cell and left was clear cell. It's been 5 years now and kidneys are functioning!. Took several months to get energy and strength back. I am more suspectible to infection now and that has been my challenge.

mew100153 | @mew100153 | Jan 2 2:18pm

Hi. At age 51, nonsmoker; non drinker, I had renal cell carcinoma both kidneys; had bilateral partial nephrectomy at Mayo Minnesota, 2003; Then, a few years ago, found mass on left kidney only 1.5 cm; have been watching with annualMRIs in Jax Mayo. No growth for several years, so I’m ok to continue watching. Best wishes with yours.

famcare | @famcare | Jan 7 2:56pm

In reply to @koke "I am unfamiliar with Bosniak renal cell. I have stage IV unclear renal cell carcinoma. I’ve..." + (show)

Curious my brother has a 9cm mass. Does anyone know why they wouldn't just remove it? He is doing immunotherapy

jv1715 | @jv1715 | Jan 8 7:17am

This may help answer some questions ....
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9409-kidney-cancer-overview

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 10 3:56pm

In reply to @ashtenrae "Hello my name is Ashten and my partner was just diagnosed with stage 3 renal cell..." + (show)

@ashtenrae, how is your partner doing? Does she need any further treatment after surgery?

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 14 5:33pm

In reply to @famcare "Curious my brother has a 9cm mass. Does anyone know why they wouldn't just remove it?..." + (show)

@famcare, kidney cancer treatment sometimes begins with surgery to remove the cancer. For cancers confined to the kidney, this may be the only treatment needed. Sometimes medicine is given after surgery to lower the risk that the cancer will come back. If the cancer has spread beyond the kidney, surgery might not be possible. Other treatments may be recommended. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352669

Immunotherapy is a recommended treatment for bladder cancer. It may be used after surgery to kill any cancer cells that might remain. It also may be used when the cancer grows very large or spreads to other parts of the body.

Do you know if your brother's cancer has spread beyond the kidney? How is he doing on treatment?