Just diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC): Treatment options?

@mlpw I was diagnosed Jan 2 2026. Had a CT scan and ultrasound that found it on my left kidney. May 4 I go for a MRI to see exactly how big it is and the exact location. Then I and my oncologist can discuss a plan for what to do next. I too was completely in shock when I found out ( I read the results that said what it was on MyChart and just cried).
If you haven't had an MRI yet definitely see if you can have one done to determine exactly where it is and how small or big it is first .

I have clear cell renal carcinoma.
My left kidney was removed. I tried keytruda but didn’t do well after the first infusion. I also had and still have mind issues. RCC is not an immediate death sentence. Next I will try Cabo and Nivo to manage it. I am on a renal diet to do the best I can to protect my remaining kidney. No NSAIDs. Just Tylenol for instance. Mine metastasized within my abdomen. No organs yet.
Message me if you want to talk!
Mert

@mlpw
I can identify w not being able to wrap your head around it! My Mayo team, at first, said i would have complete removal of my left kidney w the 2 tumors they found there. The Saturday before we flew to Rochester, my surgeon called to tell me he believed, after perusing all (1,248) scans, he had a 95% chance of saving my kidney, and he did! I still have 90% of that kidney.

@mlpw I was diagnosed with cancer in my left kidney 3 years ago this month. The urologist said that total nephrectomy was needed, but because of my ago I opted out. I started Keytruda treatment two years ago and have had a total of 19 infusions. My last two ct scans done in the last seven months have both showed malignant lesion no longer visible and no spread of cancer. I have stopped treatment because of side effects.

@mlpw, I hope you saw the helpful and supportive post from fellow members who have walked this path ahead of you.

How are you doing? Have you decided which treatment plan to pursue? Any questions?

I haven't been around much as I'm still trying to deal with my diagnosis. I know it's there,and I know I have to deal with it. I still can't talk about it, it makes it TOO real if I speak it. But writing about it/texting it's easier to handle right now.
I've only told four people so far. They are friends who had other types of cancer and are in remission. They have helped me deal with it in a way hearing what they did etc.
I don't know if I'll ever be able to speak the words to non professional people. I have to tell my Drs so that's about as much as I've said the words and that's it.
I go for my MRI May 4 to find out if it spread and what it looks like better. Then June to go over the MRI results and discuss a course of action depending on the MRI results.

I’m in the same place as you. It took a while but I can sleep through the night. I think that comes from acceptance and knowing I’m doing everything I can to help myself and following the Drs orders. Everyone responds differently relative to the side effects of treatment. I wish you well going forward and please share how you’re doing on here. Mert

@ronsale May I ask the size of your original mass? Our oncologist seems reluctant to do neoadjuvant therapy. Thank you and best wishes for continued nonexistence.

I had kidney tumor on lower left kidney. It was just over 5 centimeters in diameter. I opted fot cryoablation . Procedure took about 3 hours with very little pain or discomfort. Latest CT scans shoe the tumor tissue is greatly diminished and not active anymore. Good luck and hope you heal quickly

@deebee41 the ablation didn't destroy the whole tumor and make it shatter into pieces and go away? So the ablation just kills it but the tumor is still there just smaller?