Kidney cancer patients: Let's connect and introduce yourself

I am seeking a second opinion. The first surgeon could schedule me by the end of the year, however he does 20 partial nephrectomies a year, robotically. I do not know if that is a minimal, moderate or maximal amount per year. I am hoping the second opinion does more. However, I am not yet scheduled for my second opinion. I have a December 24 appointment at the Cleveland clinic, but If I am confident with someone here in Oregon I will stay here and cancel at Cleveland clinic. Thanks for information every comment helps.

@dougr19, it sounds like a biopsy before surgery may not be recommended in your situation. Other diagnostic tests have already shown the high liklihood that the mass is cancerous and should be removed. It is likely that once the mass is removed partial or radical nephrectomy depending on what they see once they get in there, the tumor will be biopsied. The information they receive from the tumor will give your team more information such as the stage of kidney cancer. This helps determine if further treatment is necessary and if more treatment is necessary, what treatment is the most effective for your tumor's characteristics.

Have you been scheduled for surgery? Are you seeking a second opinion?

They want to the partial nephrectomy. They are afraid to do biopsy as it may harm the kidney and be unable to do the partial and lead to radical nephrectomy. It is all percentages. The likelihood of cancer is 80% therefore, they recommend this type of treatment. I will now get other opinions try to make sense of all this. Surgery will most likely take place in the next three months. Thank you for your questions and responses. Blessings.

I had kidney cancer and 2 month's ago I was done in Rochester to get it removed. I has a mass on my kidney and they got it all and left the kidney.. I'm not doing any treatment. They're just watching it more

A partial nephrectomy does not remove your kidney, it only removes the tumor / growth and whatever portion of kidney it involves. Then they repair it. Robitically is less invasive and not every surgeon is trained how to do this. If he does 20 a year that is one every two or three weeks... which is a good number. You can do a search of his patient reviews sometimes as well. I have had that surgery 2 times, one on each kidney and both are functioning. I am praying that you feel comfort in your decision

I had my appointment with surgeon this morning. He stated treatment would be partial nephrectomy. 20% chance mass is benign, however “standard of care” is to remove your kidney. I will now traipse around the country looking for someone to do it or May decide to stay with this surgeon. Decisions. Decisions. He stated he does about 20 partial nephrectomies a year, robotically. I have no idea if that is a lot or is too few. My wife, son and grandson have been on vacation this past month. They return this Thursday. They have no idea what has transpired. To have these conversations with you has eased my burden. You all are now part of “my family.” Blessings

I had my appointment with surgeon this morning. He stated treatment would be partial nephrectomy. 20% chance mass is benign, however “standard of care” is to remove your kidney. I will now traipse around the country looking for someone to do it or May decide to stay with this surgeon. Decisions. Decisions. He stated he does about 20 partial nephrectomies a year, robotically. I have no idea if that is a lot or is too few. My wife, son and grandson have been on vacation this past month. They return this Thursday. They have no idea what has transpired. To have these conversations with you has eased my burden. You all are now part of “my family.” Blessings

@dougr19 Well, the hurdle is over now, wondering what he might say.

Was there any indication of how soon the procedure should be? What about the thoughts of a kidney biopsy first, to make sure it is a tumor to be addressed?
Ginger