Just diagnosed with tumor: What question should I ask the urologist?

@pattymltn
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352669
Best wishes. They saved my life at Mayo 2 yrs ago.
/s/ Wendy (gangcarotid1)

Thanks, this is helpful. Good Video. I have had to wait a month since the tumor was found so I have had time to research. My guess is that I will have a choice of either Cryoablation or partial nephrectomy.

@pattymltn If they say you need to have a radical nephrectomy get as 2nd opinion just to be sure. I still have my kidney 4 years after I was told i needed a radical nephrectomy for UTUC.

I hope your meeting went well with urology. Did they give a possible reason for the tumor? Mine was found May 1st ultrasound 6 cm, mide pole near renal pelvis. I have to a radical nephrectomy because the size make is suspect for malignancy. You should be able to do a successful treatment or partial given that is upper pole and smaller than 4 cm. Good luck on your journey.

@quirky9 No, no reason for the tumor given. No family history or previous cancer. How did you find out you had a tumor? I had slowly rising liver enzymes over a period of 5 years. Are you feeling well?

@pattymltn
I have no history of cancer on either side of my family. There were several smokers. Because I have had Chronic Kidney Disease related to high blood pressure, or being overweight is a risk factor. It is mild to moderate. CKD is a risk for tumors. That is why my doctor sent me for ultrasound to check my kidneys. I was and am asymptomatic. I would not have known I had the tumor without the ultrasound. So many are found when scans are done for something else. Different ages from late 20s to 70s can have renal cancer. I have lost some weight due more to stress I think. Thank you for asking. Good luck with everything!

@pattymltn, @quirky9
My 2 malignant tumors on my left kidney were lower pole 5cm and upper pole 2 cm. Very thankful was able to have partial nephrectomy, the thought of being 1 kidney away from dialysis scares me. I also have a 1.3cm cyst on the other kidney that is now considered "suspicious for neoplasm". I go to Mayo every 6 mos for checks because Im considered Intermediate risk for recurrence. I eat for my labs... never smoked, quit any alcohol or sugar, seldom eat processed foods. Bought a stationery cycle and bike 6 mi/30 min daily. So far, the Beast is not winning; has not raised its ugly head for nearly 2 yrs. Fighting this with every bit of ambition and stamina I can find! Best of luck, best wishes, prayers and hugs to you both!

@gangcarotid1 Thank you for your note. I am also eating and living a healthy lifestyle, always have ( gave up sugar 5 years ago and alcohol 7 years ago) but sometimes you just can't have control over all aspects of health. I have only had the one kidney scanned and am wondering if both should be looked at. Happy your situation was partial nephrectomy. How do you feel? They say your kidney can bounce back quickly. Did you consider adaptive radiotherapy?

@pattymltn
Any kind of radiation, even proton, would be last on my list of preferences. Its the 'gift that keeps on giving'... for the rest of your life. Though, if radiation was my only option, definitely proton therapy would be my 1st choice. There is not a 100% possibility of getting all the cancer, more like 75-85%. I was healthy enough for the surgery, and with the Mayo surgeon saying he believed he had a 95% chance of saving my kidney... those are pretty good odds when looking at any kind of cancer!
It took me about 4 mos to completely heal. Was pretty uncomfortable for a good 2 mos, even riding in a vehicle was horrid. I actually screamed into a pillow when we flew home from Rochester and landed back home. My husband was (IS!!) a saint. By 3 mos I was able to cook, handle housework that didnt require alot of bending over or lifting... my incision was 2" below my navel clear up to between my breasts... my last opioid drugs were taken on Day 6 after the surgery, and then I took them 1 time again when we flew home 5 days later. (Surgeon recommended we stay in Rochester til I stabilized enough to walk short distances, etc.) I am doing well now, relative to the left kidney surgery. Because I had 2 tumors, malignant, I'm considered Intermediate Risk for recurrence, so Mayo wants to see me every 3-6 mos. After 2 rounds of 3 mos, they lengthened it to 6 mos as my labs have been stellar. Now though, Im starting to have twinge of dull pain on my right flank where I have a 1.3 (1.6?) cm on the other kidney. 6 mos ago, the CT notes changed from 'suspicious cyst' to 'suspicious neoplasm that should be considered for further testing via ultrasound and/or biopsy at next visit, depending on labs, symptoms and urinalysis'. So, that'll be in October.
Ongoing.. but i feel very blessed.

@gangcarotid1
I had my radical on Monday. Home in under 24 hrs. My surgeon said my right kidney is doing fine. Due to location, my tumor could not be removed and nephrons saved. I am glad I didn't have a choice actually. I know the suspected ccRCC is in a lab and not in my body anymore. Waiting on stage and grade. My chest, thyroid, top of liver CT showed clear prior to surgery. Pain is manageable. My diet is not as fabulous as you and patty! Kudos! But I have changed it. No red meat, no processed, no salt, no alcohol. More clean food. Im not diabetic. Hoping for low stage, grade on pathology. Dealing with the stress of being forced out of my job 10 days before major surgery has not helped, but I have tried to put it to the back of my priorities. Still have health insurance. Will get 1 more check 15th of the month. Unsympathetic, unethical, born into money and arrogant boss, who by the way had Wilms at 5 and has always had 1 kidney, thinks what I am going through should be a walk in the park! F#CK him and kidney cancer. If you want to see my tumor let me know.