Partial left nephrectomy confirms papillary renal cell carcinoma

@leeb123, as your oncologist may have already told you, papillary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the second most common form of kidney cancer and makes up about 15% of all cases. I believe @ibw295 and @lbrockme have experience with papillary RCC type kidney cancer.

Lee, has further treatment after surgery been recommended for you? What are the next steps?

I have follow up in a couple weeks, I know another scan scheduled in mat and also need to monitor the other kidney and adrenal gland have same growth.

Also, I don't have an oncologist.
Should I?

Hi there... I have had a partial nephrectomy on my left kidney for Papillary RCC , kidney cancer, as well as a partial nephrectomy on the right kidney with Clear cell RCC , kidney cancer. This is year 5 and I am holding my own! I have blood tests, urine tests and various scans basically every 6 months. Primarily orderd by my oncologist. I also have a Primary care Dr. , an urologist, urologist surgeon and a nephrologist .
We have been alternating scans, MRIs. Ultrasounds and CT scans for the last year. We are Trying to limit the amount of radiation from the scans. I do have stage 3 chronic kidney disease now , but much improved from the first year after surgery.
Going thru some testing now ... so my job is making sure all my docs know and order whatever tests they want as well, just so I don't have duplicates ordered!
Hoping your next appt goes well!

Thanks much for the reply.
I think that's a good approach.

Thank you for sharing. I was diagnosed 12/31/25 with stage four papillary rcc. Treatment to start is Cabozantinib 40mg and monthly infusion of nivolumab. Rescans are scheduled later this month. So far mild adverse effects to the meds.

@kenarmy hope you share an update.
I've had a bit of a setback.
Since may of 25 I've been treated for stage 3 rectal cancer. After chemo and before chemo radiation began, scan revealed the tumor grew and a tumor on left adrenal is secreting cortisol.
End of March, I'll under go surgery.
All 3 will be taken care of and my new life begins, ostomy and all!