Kidney tumor

Hi Glen, I am 82 years old. I went in hospital in 2002 for a lower back ache and the x-ray showed an unknown tumor on my left kidney. ER Doctor said you aren't going home tonight with that kidney. He took out the kidney (Nephrectomy) and threw away both the cancer and the kidney. Not aware of your age, or how many kidneys you have, but I wouldn't be too afraid to lose one of them if I were you. My one kidney (which is full of stones) still functions as well as most folks who have both of theirs. I have taken two pills per day of 1080mg each Potassium Citrate to prevent the stones from growing quickly, or you can eat one lime a day, if you prefer to do same thing. Several Doctors have told me that my current NETS have likely Metastasized from that 24 years ago kidney, however at least I won't die from kidney cancer. LOL. Fair winds and smooth seas in your journey! Regards, Rick.

Thank you Rick
I'm 73
The mass was there in 2022 at 1.3cc now it's 3.3cc but I googled it and it says it's actually slow growing!
So I'm grasping at straws until the darn urologist gets back to me and it's Saturday now.
Yes I can lose a kidney but I hope it doesn't get to that point.
My best hope is a CT that shows it to be benign.
Might be able to cut it out or if benign, active surveillance.
Waiting is a pain in the butt or actually the not knowing is the worst thing.
Thank you for the input

Oh, I'd add that I don't want radiation. I'm glad it took care of my prostate cancer but it's caused a striction which had to be balloon dilated and it's still partly blocking my urine flow
Glen

I've been Googling and due to the size of 3.7cc it's not going to be active surveillance so looks like surgery is coming.
I pray it's only partial and not the whole kidney.
From all I've read, it's likely cancerous. Hopefully I hear from my doctor tomorrow.
Could be worse news but it's sad that my life is so focused on medical issues. Wife and I really want to start traveling and enjoying retirement.
Glen

One more comment:
I don't know until my urologist talks to me or texts. Dr "Google " is saying probably cancer. If it's cancer my hope is that only part of the kidney must come out. Heck it's grape size and doesn't seem entangled so why not cut just the tumor? Stinks waiting maybe doctor is away

My Dr Joice wants me to return to the care of my first urologist Dr Decastro and I am ok with that as he is a good doctor. Wanted a MRI but I suggested CT scan with contrast and he agreed.
He was not alarmed and said I might be good for ablation either cold or hot. I said I want to avoid surgery unless it is very bad. Anyway on to the cat scan and we shall take it from there

Glen

Hi Glen,
I'm not a Doctor. I had same Tumor in 2002, and Doctor removed the kidney and threw away the Cancerous Tumor along with the kidney. I still have stones in the other kidney, but control them with Potassium Citrate pills of 1080 mg 2 X daily, or you can just eat a whole lime a day.
I can only suggest that masses with smooth edges are generally NOT cancerous, as they are not attached to surrounding tissue. I'm here for unrelated Cancerous Pancreas tissue, but have lived for 3.5 years with clean edges on the Pancreas tumors so far, and 24 on the tuned up Kidney.
I wish you good fortune in your journey, and hope you are soon relieved of worry.
Regards, Rick

Thank you for taking the time to write Rick.
Worry is a tough part of it all. I still remember when I was told I had prostate cancer. I felt fear and even weirdly, guilt! I was almost afraid to tell my wife. Thank God now all is well and it's been 4 years since radiation and my PSA went from my usual 5.7 to now, .05 was even 7.4 at one reading.
CT Scan Tuesday September 1st with and without contrast Told doctor I just cannot take a MRI due to fear of being in tight places. I'd also be worried of all the hardware I have inside from back fusion, two hip replacements and one elbow replacement, actually three because I required revision 2 times. Same ortho twice at Columbia and new guy at NYU but it is still loose, creaky and painful but less so,
I have been through the wringer even having a paraphimosis when I retained urine from radiation got a catheter and was sorta forgotten over the holidays as it was inside me way too long and my tip began to turn black! Scary stuff-Dr Decastro took care of it thank goodness but it hurt like heck
I hope they can determine if it okay to wait on Active survailence then maybe if need be, cyroablation,
Glen