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What are standard test used for diagnosing renal cell carcinoma?
Kidney Cancer | Last Active: Apr 19 6:21pm | Replies (19)Comment receiving replies
I recently had an abdominal CT scan with contrast, for a 7.1 x 6.5 x 6.5cm mass. The CT scan report states:
IMPRESSION:
1. There is a large mass in the lower pole of the left kidney. This has the typical appearance of a renal cell carcinoma.
2. Interval decrease in size of the nodule in the left lower lobe.
3. Dilatation of the common common bile duct with abrupt transition in the head of the pancreas. Further evaluation is recommended.
4. Additional findings as described above.
Is this a diagnosis of RCC or enough evidence of RCC? This mass was discovered after a biopsy on the left lobe of my left lung (mass was non-malignant).
Replies to "I recently had an abdominal CT scan with contrast, for a 7.1 x 6.5 x 6.5cm..."
Your post sounds like what I went through last year. A CT scan (for another complaint) found a mass on my left kidney. My urologist performed a biopsy and it was diagnosed as UTUC (upper tract urothelial carcinoma) which was graded as slow growing and non invasive. I was sent to another urologist who specialized in laser treatments and he did 2 ablations 3 months apart to laser out the tumors. My tumor were in a tricky area it the very top of my ureter and unless the tumor was removed, it would cause problems. I know how hard it is to wait for the diagnosis and treatment plan. Be patient and take a notepad with you to your follow up appointment. ASK QUESTIONS! Don’t let your dr rush you. After your appointment, write down any questions you still have and send them to your doctor. I was lucky to have a dr who answered my emails. Stay focused on your health. Here’s some hope for you….I had a CT scan 2 weeks ago and a cystoscopy last week. NO SIGN of cancer. Of course, I will have to be monitored frequently. But for now, I’m cancer free. I wish the same outcome for you. 🙂
They will figure it out with you. I had many of those tests and my RCC was inside the kidney at 3.3 cm but thankful it was stage 1. Fortunate they had to take the whole kidney for peace of mind because of location of the lesion. However my message and support is that the doctors all team up and guild the proper plan for you. Have faith you are with the best of the best!
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@twobeb87 welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We aren’t professionals and don’t diagnose or prescribe. We are here mainly here to share our experiences and to support each other to show that we’re not alone. When words like “mass, biopsy” are used in conjunction with any scans it is a cause for concern. It sounds as if your providers are busy making plans for “further evaluation”. This is a good thing if they are trying to be thorough before making a complete diagnosis. But I understand that it is SO HARD to have some information but no diagnosis or plan. Waiting is difficult. My hope and prayer for you is a sense of peace and calm knowing that your providers are working hard to figure this out. Fear and anxiety is understandable but only makes things worse. Do you have local realtime family and/or friends that can be with you to support you while you wait for more answers?