In limbo- MRI Dec 19, CT Dec 30. Only info is that it’s at least 6cm

Posted by wacn3kids @wacn3kids, Jan 6 2:18pm

Hi-
I’m an accident- at least that’s how they described it. I had an MRI on December 19th due to a back injury. My birthday is December 21, and with the holidays along with what I thought was going to be the same old result, (yes your back is still injured and yes we did in fact remove three disks) the NP ordered a CT scan with contrast. Again, I had no suspicion other than “typical insurance, instead of just doing this all at once, they have to step through all of these hoops.” I was lucky (I thought) and scheduled the ct for December 30th. By chance my son had called and I couldn’t answer my cell. When I had time to call, I noticed several calls from my pain NP. I opened the most recent one and heard “you have a mass on your kidney that is at least 6cm. I ordered a ct scan of your abdomen. It is likely cancer.” A bit about myself. Cancer isn’t new to me. My daughter (24) has thyroid, my father had three genetically different tumors meaning he didn’t have mets, he literally had three primary cancers and died from the third. 2 Aunts had lung cancer and died, my sister has thyroid, my FIL has bladder, and a cousin had a very rare type of bone cancer that presents itself on the top of the spine near the brain stem. I had already assumed a foregone conclusion that I would have cancer, but I didn’t expect it to be caught accidentally. That brings me to my point. It is large as kidney cancer goes, my primary doctor provided the information that it is likely stage I and will probably require the removal of my kidney. Meanwhile, getting anyone who actually deals with kidney cancer to look at the CT and MRI is next to impossible, and besides what my PC provided, I have no other information. I purposefully have not researched this other than chat GPT to provide me advice on how to talk to loved ones and providers, but I am concerned that the size alone is an issue. One main concern is what is the next step? Will I need a biopsy or will the surgeon just go ahead and remove the mass? I have a choice (I believe) between UC Davis and Stanford both of which have an outstanding surgeon and latest techniques. I could go to the Mayo in Phoenix but I would prefer to remain closer to my treatment team. Any thoughts? Anyone else have a stage I tumor that was 6cm plus? How worried should I be and how quickly should I get the thing removed?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Kidney Cancer Support Group.

jv1715 | @jv1715 | Jan 7 7:25am

You may have seen this article already. It was very helpful for me when I was diagnosed with kidney cancer.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9409-kidney-cancer-overview
They found my kidney cancer by 'accident", they found mass from a lung CT scan, which my primary provider requested. The good news is that the lungs are good, but they saw a 'growth' in the right kidney.
They followed up with renal CT scan, to verify the growth/mass.
Then followed by a biopsy. Pathology result shows Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (Kidney Cancer).

It's the most common type of kidney cancer.
There are no symptoms, which is good, it means they found it at an early stage.

My urologist removed 10% of the kidney, surgery went well on 12/12/24, currently recovering.

deebee41 | @deebee41 | Jan 7 7:52am

I had a similar sized tumor and had cryoablation surgery. It was located on the lower lobe. Procedure was painless and took about 3 hours start to finish.Hope this is helpful.

koke | @koke | Jan 7 8:58am

You don’t know until you get results and my biopsy confirmed kidney cancer and mass was large enough to warrant entire kidney removed. That was 2 1/2 yrs ago. I recommend going to the best cancer hospital and a dr specializing in kidney cancer. I’ll keep you in my prayers….
Koke

famcare | @famcare | Jan 7 2:44pm

In reply to @koke "You don’t know until you get results and my biopsy confirmed kidney cancer and mass was..." + (show)

How large is too large?

koke | @koke | Jan 7 2:49pm

In reply to @famcare "How large is too large?" + (show)

Oh…I don’t know! I didn’t know about a ‘partial removal’ since there was no discussion nor options with mine.
I’m a lot more educated than I was when diagnosed and I suppose that is helpful. Koke

jv1715 | @jv1715 | Jan 9 7:45am

In reply to @koke "Oh…I don’t know! I didn’t know about a ‘partial removal’ since there was no discussion nor..." + (show)

This may be of help; in case you have not seen it............. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9409-kidney-cancer-overview

adreddick | @adreddick | Jan 10 5:36pm

In limbo as well. Found during ultrasound of liver. Small spot on right kidney that tripled in size over a few months (2 CTs with and without contrast). Just had ultrasound on left kidney. Spot found in upper left. Could be cyst, could be cancer. Advised to get re-scanned in 6 months. Feel like I have a ticking bomb growing inside.

jv1715 | @jv1715 | Jan 11 7:39am

In reply to @adreddick "In limbo as well. Found during ultrasound of liver. Small spot on right kidney that tripled..." + (show)

You did not mention whether a biopsy was conducted.
My kidney cancer was found during a kung CT scan.
Followed up with kidney CT scan with contrast.
Followed up with biopsy and clear cell cancer was confirmed. Stage 1, 3.6cm.
Surgery on 12/12/24 to remove 10 percent of the right kidney.
Will have MRI checks every 3 months, the first year.
Then twice a year.

Also, this info gave me better understanding of situation.... https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9409-kidney-cancer-overview

jv1715 | @jv1715 | Jan 11 7:45am

Mine was also found by 'accident'
My PC ordered a lung CT scan, good news is lungs are good, but they found a mass on my right kidney.
Followed up with kidney CT scan, showed a 3.6cm growth.
Then biopsy confirmed clear cell carcinoma.
Surgery on 12/12/24 to remove cancer, 10% of right kidney.

This link gave me better understanding....
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9409-kidney-cancer-overview