1. < Kidney & Bladder

kidney function after nephrectomy

Posted by hshiffrin17 @hshiffrin17, Jul 8, 2021

My 40 year old son underwent radical nephrectomy 5 weeks ago. His eGFR dropped from 83 to 53. Is that something to be expected? Will the eGFR level increase over the next few months?

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jul 8, 2021

@hshiffrin17 Welcome to Mayo Connect!
After a radical nephrectomy, your son now has one kidney doing the same work two were doing. Everyone says "you only need one!" as far as kidneys go.

From cancernetwork.com, this article discusses return of kidney function after surgery to remove one kidney: https://www.cancernetwork.com/view/nearly-half-patients-recovered-kidney-function-after-radical-nephrectomy

I honestly would have your son ask his nephrologist, as there may be other factors involved. How is your son feeling now?
Ginger

REPLY
hshiffrin17 | @hshiffrin17 | Jul 9, 2021

Hi Ginger: Thank you for the quick response. He is feeling fine and will be seeing his doctors next week. We were anxious because of the drop in the number, and were just curious if that kind if drop is often the case with just one kidney. Thanks again.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jul 9, 2021
In reply to @hshiffrin17 "Hi Ginger: Thank you for the quick response. He is feeling fine and will be seeing..." + (show)
@hshiffrin17

Hi Ginger: Thank you for the quick response. He is feeling fine and will be seeing his doctors next week. We were anxious because of the drop in the number, and were just curious if that kind if drop is often the case with just one kidney. Thanks again.

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@hshiffrin17 You're welcome! Having to have that surgery can be anxiety-producing, for sure. I also have a tumor on my right kidney that we are watching, and will face a nephrectomy if it gets aggressive or larger. My issue is my kidneys are at eGFR 22% now, so such a surgery will put me into dialysis immediately.

Please feel free to wander through this kidney and bladder group for information that may interest you. I will be curious what your son's dr may relate to him, about his kidney function going forward.
Ginger

REPLY
1 reply
hshiffrin17 | @hshiffrin17 | Jul 9, 2021
In reply to @gingerw "@hshiffrin17 You're welcome! Having to have that surgery can be anxiety-producing, for sure. I also have..." + (show)
@gingerw

@hshiffrin17 You're welcome! Having to have that surgery can be anxiety-producing, for sure. I also have a tumor on my right kidney that we are watching, and will face a nephrectomy if it gets aggressive or larger. My issue is my kidneys are at eGFR 22% now, so such a surgery will put me into dialysis immediately.

Please feel free to wander through this kidney and bladder group for information that may interest you. I will be curious what your son's dr may relate to him, about his kidney function going forward.
Ginger

Jump to this post

Thanks. I will try to keep you posted.

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