Any experiences with Cryoablation for renal cell carcinoma (RCC)?

My son said he's been gone too long from Weill Cornell to make a referral. I suggest following up with Kohlbrenner or one of the major medical institutions closer to you.

Serendipity! I would value your son's opinion if he does feel strongly about an east coast colleague. Your experience with Kohlbrenner carries a lot of weight, too, however!

Was the neuropathy caused by the kidney tumor?

My son is an interventional radiologist who went to med school at Weill Cornell in NYC. If you like, i can ask him if he knows anyone in the Tri State Area. Or you can call Kohlbrenner for a referral in the Tri State area.

@pamelacap, you are asking great questions and doing your homework. Active surveillance can be a viable option in many cases and depending on your preferences.

I'm tagging @mb4414 @sonshine161 @deebee41 who can further share their decision making criteria about cryotherapy.

I'm sure you read this or similar already, but just in case here is information from cryoablation treatement from Mayo Clinic:
- Cryoablation for cancer https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cryoablation-for-cancer/about/pac-20385216

To inquire if you can use telemed or virtual evaluation at Mayo Clinic to see if you are are candidate for cyroablation, you can talk to an appointment coordinator. Start here: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

Pamela, has anyone suggested a biopsy to confirm if it is cancerous or a benign cyst?

Yes I had a mri I April to determine why I have neuropathy in my legs and feet. They discovered, per the report, at least a 7.5 mass on right kidney. Highly suspected renal cell carcinoma.. so I have been put in for a cat scan with contrast. But haven't gotten that yet either. Nor a dr appointment.. I'm frustrated but I have not gotten any response 😒

I had a similar situation. A mass on my left kidney that we surveiled for a couple of years . During that time we watched it grow from 1cm to 2 cm. My son is an interventional radiologist in Portland, OR and he recommended an ablation be done by a classmate of his, Dr. Ryan Kohlbrenner, at UC San Francisco. I had it done about 2 months ago. They froze it to kill it. The procedure had no pain and no recovery time. They covered the entry point with a band aid. The process to get a biopsy and to ablate it were the same so we did both at the same time. I would suggest calling Dr. Kohlbrenner for a referral. Once the mass gets larger than 4 cm it requires more of a surgical procedure. LMK if you have any more questions.

I am so grateful for this support thread and to the people sharing. It isn't easy to sort through the endless worry and over-thinking but reading all these great shares has helped me. Here's my situation and questions.

A small tumor was found during a kidney stone scan in Nov 2022. I opted for active surveillance and after two years it has grown only slightly. This report is from Nov 2024:

Kidneys: Redemonstration of exophytic enhancing lesion at the inferior left renal pole which measures 2.6 x 2.8 x 2.0 cm AP X TRX cc (4:32, 3:20) Which appears slightly increased in size when compared to MRI abdomen 12/12/2022 where it measured 2.3 x 2.7 x 1.6 cm (4:30, 3:20). Simple right-sided renal cysts noted.

The first surgeon recommended partial nephrectomy, robotic (his specialty). I went for a second opinion at a different hospital and the department head shared all the data about atypical tumor recurrence, highlighting the increase in recurrence with robotic surgery for rcc; he strongly recommends a partial nephrectomy (his specialty).

Clearly, I want to be evaluated for cryotherapy. Does anyone have experience with an interventional radiologist group in the NY-NJ-PA area? Since I have two years of scans, including recent scans, can the first consult for cry-ablation be through telemed?

Lastly, do we want to address small tumors without knowing if they are actually cancer?

I'm 73 and just want to stay active and live my life. Three months without lifting or driving is a lot to accept (recovery for open surgery, I was told).

I am so grateful for this support thread and to the people sharing. It isn't easy to sort through the endless worry and over-thinking but reading all these great shares has helped me. Here's my situation and questions.

A small tumor was found during a kidney stone scan in Nov 2022. I opted for active surveillance and after two years it has grown only slightly. This report is from Nov 2024:

Kidneys: Redemonstration of exophytic enhancing lesion at the inferior left renal pole which measures 2.6 x 2.8 x 2.0 cm AP X TRX cc (4:32, 3:20) Which appears slightly increased in size when compared to MRI abdomen 12/12/2022 where it measured 2.3 x 2.7 x 1.6 cm (4:30, 3:20). Simple right-sided renal cysts noted.

The first surgeon recommended partial nephrectomy, robotic (his specialty). I went for a second opinion at a different hospital and the department head shared all the data about atypical tumor recurrence, highlighting the increase in recurrence with robotic surgery for rcc; he strongly recommends a partial nephrectomy (his specialty).

Clearly, I want to be evaluated for cryotherapy. Does anyone have experience with an interventional radiologist group in the NY-NJ-PA area? Since I have two years of scans, including recent scans, can the first consult for cry-ablation be through telemed?

Lastly, do we want to address small tumors without knowing if they are actually cancer?

I'm 73 and just want to stay active and live my life. Three months without lifting or driving is a lot to accept (recovery for open surgery, I was told).