Kidney renal mass biopsy

Posted by trishanna @trishanna, Jun 20, 2017

Got as far as the CT scanner when doctor in charge presented me with the option to go forward with the biopsy or cancel, and gave me five minnutes to decide. After listing all possible negative results such a procedure could produce - up to and including removal of my kidney - hospital doctor said she could only say there was a 50/50 chance she'd be able to achieve a biopsy specimen due to location of 2.7 cm cyst. I cancelled. Most extraordinary thing medically that's ever happened to me. To date, I've not heard word one from the hospital or from my urologist. I've no idea what to do. I've had a ct, mri, bladder exam all as a result of small amount of bleeding and pain in my bladder almost two months ago.

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

@trishanna

Ha! My biggest scar is in the front lower right quadrant in the area of one's appendix, and it itches!!! Follow up with surgeon is the 8th - I've lots of questions so I'll just wait!! Complications include dispute over lungs /oxygen, and now cardiac? For that, I return to my GP next week!! Seems I was perfectly okay presurgery, and suddenly postsurgery not so good. Not especially concerned cause I left home to have my surgery and think all my new medical friends were worried, hopefully incorrectly!! So kind of you to ask. How long before you were able to resume physical activity? I am very worried about my back!!!! And how long did you tire easily?

Jump to this post

@trishanna - I remember the itching that accompanied the healing. Can you use a lotion on it? My dialysis nurses told me about a lotion called VaniCream. It worked for me after surgery on my dry skin. I find it at the pharmacists counter, not on the shelves.

I am happy that you will be able to see your GP soon to take care of you and to set your mind at ease. I hope that these complications not going to be a problem for you. Are you on many medications? it unfair to compare my timeline with yours because of entirely different procedures. My native kidney(s) were not removed. With my transplant surgery for liver and kidney, I remember that I could not lift ?? lbs for 2 months - I don't even remember.
Your body probably needs to rest to recover from this surgery.
I wish I could give you the answers that you are looking for! In the time between now and your doctor appointment, start a list of all your questions.
Rosemary

REPLY
@trishanna

Ha! My biggest scar is in the front lower right quadrant in the area of one's appendix, and it itches!!! Follow up with surgeon is the 8th - I've lots of questions so I'll just wait!! Complications include dispute over lungs /oxygen, and now cardiac? For that, I return to my GP next week!! Seems I was perfectly okay presurgery, and suddenly postsurgery not so good. Not especially concerned cause I left home to have my surgery and think all my new medical friends were worried, hopefully incorrectly!! So kind of you to ask. How long before you were able to resume physical activity? I am very worried about my back!!!! And how long did you tire easily?

Jump to this post

Well, my two-month surgical aniversary is Monday and I really have more questions than answers. I've recovered physically from the surgery, but still have two problems: I really have to still take catnaps, and blood has returned to my urine, very light and exactly as it was before surgery. Does anyone know if these are normal for my recovery period? Oh, and my "mass" turned out to be a sarcoma - both the type and location very rare. So, now I am seeking a urologist and oncologist experienced with the necessary follow-up. Thankfully, I've a clean bill of health so far.

REPLY

Hi @trishanna,

Thank you for the update. Here's some more information about renal sarcomas, which are indeed rare (I've copied relevant information for your convenience):
"Sarcoma of the kidney is rare. This type of cancer develops in the soft tissue of the kidney; the thin layer of connective tissue surrounding the kidney, called the capsule; or surrounding fat. Sarcoma of the kidney is usually treated with surgery. More surgery or chemotherapy may be recommended after the first surgery." https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/kidney-cancer/introduction

We also have an incredibly informative discussion on Connect, "Diagnosed with sarcoma? Let's share" https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/diagnosed-with-sarcoma-lets-share/ which I would encourage you to read through, and post your questions there, if you wish.

@rosemarya, would you be able to shed some light on @trishanna's symptoms?

REPLY

@trishanna, I can relate to the catnaps. Keep in mind that my surgery and recovery was from organ transplant, however, I used to nap daily during my recovery. Even now, I do not deprive myself of a good nap when my body wants one.

That you have a clean bill of health so far, sounds like a good thing.
It sounds like you are doing the right thing, to consult with specialists. One thing that I have experienced is that higher level specialists are best able to provide more answers and information about the 'rare' conditions. And that brings peace of mind, to at least know what is happening inside of our bodies and what we are facing.
I am completely unfamiliar with sarcoma, so I am happy that @kanaazpereira has provided some information for you to read and to prepare for your visit. I imagine that you already have loads of questions that you want answered. Are you writing them on as list as you think of them? Are you looking on your own for the additional doctors, or has your surgeon referred you to someone?

Rosemary

REPLY
@rosemarya

@trishanna, I can relate to the catnaps. Keep in mind that my surgery and recovery was from organ transplant, however, I used to nap daily during my recovery. Even now, I do not deprive myself of a good nap when my body wants one.

That you have a clean bill of health so far, sounds like a good thing.
It sounds like you are doing the right thing, to consult with specialists. One thing that I have experienced is that higher level specialists are best able to provide more answers and information about the 'rare' conditions. And that brings peace of mind, to at least know what is happening inside of our bodies and what we are facing.
I am completely unfamiliar with sarcoma, so I am happy that @kanaazpereira has provided some information for you to read and to prepare for your visit. I imagine that you already have loads of questions that you want answered. Are you writing them on as list as you think of them? Are you looking on your own for the additional doctors, or has your surgeon referred you to someone?

Rosemary

Jump to this post

Thanks for responding, @rosemarya. Yes, so far I feel quite fortunate. The questions regarding specialists is vexing, to say the least. My oncologist had to do research just to keep our first appt, admitted he knows zip about my condition, and recommended a (unknown) oncologist who handles only cases like mine and whose practice would be in some major center, like Chicago. Not particularly practical advice, but I'm assuming that eliminates everyone in our rather large geographical area. My case occurs in something like 0.07% of all sarcoma kidney cases, of which there are maybe 60!!! I do note your suggestion about questions - good idea - but answers are important so Santa is bringing me a hand-held recording device just in the nick of time. Appreciate everyone's advice, so I welcome any and all questions or suggestions you may have. BTW, how are you doing? Have you had any problems with what must have been a very difficult - liver and kidney - surgery!!! And while napping-needs have eased somewhat, I have decided to follow your lead and nap as necessary. And give up trying to keep to a schedule!!! Merry Christmas to us both - we've been good, don't you think?

REPLY
@rosemarya

@trishanna, I can relate to the catnaps. Keep in mind that my surgery and recovery was from organ transplant, however, I used to nap daily during my recovery. Even now, I do not deprive myself of a good nap when my body wants one.

That you have a clean bill of health so far, sounds like a good thing.
It sounds like you are doing the right thing, to consult with specialists. One thing that I have experienced is that higher level specialists are best able to provide more answers and information about the 'rare' conditions. And that brings peace of mind, to at least know what is happening inside of our bodies and what we are facing.
I am completely unfamiliar with sarcoma, so I am happy that @kanaazpereira has provided some information for you to read and to prepare for your visit. I imagine that you already have loads of questions that you want answered. Are you writing them on as list as you think of them? Are you looking on your own for the additional doctors, or has your surgeon referred you to someone?

Rosemary

Jump to this post

@trishanna, I agree that wish for a Very Merry Christmas is a perfectly fitting for us!
We celebrated our family Christmas this past Sunday and for me, the 'Merry" is already happening! I hope that you are feeling okay, and that you can put your medical issues 'on hold' until after the holidays.

In response to your question about how I am doing: My rough part was the time and illness leading up to my transplant. After the transplant, my recovery was without incident, and I began to feel better immediately. I have been blessed, and everyday I am thankful for this gift. I try to take good care of these 'new' (8+ years) organs. I share the following article as a means of answering your question.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/staying-positive-while-waiting-for-a-transplant/

Good luck with mastering the recording device:-) Let me know how that works for you!
Rosemary

REPLY
@predictable

Surgery, @trishanna? Yep. A triple-header from my urologist who aimed especially at my prostate and removed a large piece of it. That cleared out a view of my bladder, which was decorated by a small malignant papillary tumor, which he also removed. Six weeks later, he found a dozen more of those little tumors in my bladder and removed them. All of these procedures were performed via transurethral cystoscope. Now five years later, my annual cystoscope exam discovered no new tumors, and I'm doing fine. A tumor on the outside of my kidney has not grown appreciably, so we're just watching and waiting, not getting ready for any kind of surgery now.

Jump to this post

@predictable. Hi there I was just reading your replies to the original poster. So the new tumor on your kidney, is it thought to be cancer? I only ask because I am going through similar instance with my husband. He had imaging done that showed a possible solid mass on the side of his kidney. His surgeon who we are established with does not seem one bit concerned with it. We were just told to have repeat imaging 6 months later in December. I wasn't sure if this was normal practice to just watch and wait...

REPLY
@mrb2

@predictable. Hi there I was just reading your replies to the original poster. So the new tumor on your kidney, is it thought to be cancer? I only ask because I am going through similar instance with my husband. He had imaging done that showed a possible solid mass on the side of his kidney. His surgeon who we are established with does not seem one bit concerned with it. We were just told to have repeat imaging 6 months later in December. I wasn't sure if this was normal practice to just watch and wait...

Jump to this post

Hi @mrb2. I wonder whether your husband can get more information from his medical team about the imaging on his kidney mass. When mine was discovered, the radiologist said the MRI showed tissue that appeared unlikely to be malignant. That was almost 10 years ago. My urologist (who was treating me at the time) described all of the possibilities and the importance of getting the diagnosis right -- which was more likely with more information a few months later. So we delayed surgery and I got an updated MRI a few months later. Verdict: Probably benign growth in the adrenal gland on one kidney. This is a crucial distinction: Is the growth on the kidney or in the adrenal gland located on the kidney? The growth has been checked periodically since then, showing no expansion or transit elsewhere, so we're still watching and waiting. Perhaps you can get some information at this website: https://www.bidmc.org/conditions-and-treatments/cancers-tumors-and-blood/kidney-tumors-and-kidney-cancer. But you'd be better served by a medical team that provides your husband with satisfying information. I had more to say in my posting above on August 21, 2017. You might find that helpful. Martin

REPLY
@predictable

Hi @mrb2. I wonder whether your husband can get more information from his medical team about the imaging on his kidney mass. When mine was discovered, the radiologist said the MRI showed tissue that appeared unlikely to be malignant. That was almost 10 years ago. My urologist (who was treating me at the time) described all of the possibilities and the importance of getting the diagnosis right -- which was more likely with more information a few months later. So we delayed surgery and I got an updated MRI a few months later. Verdict: Probably benign growth in the adrenal gland on one kidney. This is a crucial distinction: Is the growth on the kidney or in the adrenal gland located on the kidney? The growth has been checked periodically since then, showing no expansion or transit elsewhere, so we're still watching and waiting. Perhaps you can get some information at this website: https://www.bidmc.org/conditions-and-treatments/cancers-tumors-and-blood/kidney-tumors-and-kidney-cancer. But you'd be better served by a medical team that provides your husband with satisfying information. I had more to say in my posting above on August 21, 2017. You might find that helpful. Martin

Jump to this post

Thank you so much! I wish you nothing but the best!

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.