Kidney cancer patients: Let's connect and introduce yourself

I was diagnosed with kidney cancer two months ago. I still have not decided what to do; because of my age of 81 and having just last year had radiation treatment for prostate cancer I don't know if I want to go through the removal of kidney.

I started out yervoy&opdivo,then just opdivo, now 8 months in just the cabomertx. Hopefully this will get some results. I know the immunotherapy is real expensive so it might be an insurance issue. Got 10 weeks before my next. Hopefully the results are better than the last 2 scans.

I have been on opdivo and cabometryx for two years now. The original renal cancer was removed with surgery, then the cancer moved into the lungs (had a "spot" removed with minor surgery) and now has settled into the spleen and pancreas. The Opdivo/Cabometryx immunotherapy which I have been taking for two years has shrunk the renal spots on the spleen and pancreas, but now the doctor wants to discontinue the Opdivo. His comment was that Immunotherapy normally is for two years and then continue with Cabometryx.
My question is why, if the Opdivo/Cabometryx mix is working, do we want to change things?
Is this an insurance thing or does it have something to do with long-term immunotherapy affecting the body? I plan to trying convincing him to continue what's working.

Sounds familiar to what I'm going through. I have noticed my voice is kinda raspy. My last CT showed a tumor on my kidney, and lungs and lymph nodes. I'm 59 and I'm quitting work to focus on my health. Good luck on your journey. It does feel good to converse with someone who is going through the same thing. Take care.

Thank you for sharing. My cancer has spread to a lymph node in between lungs. I have been taking daily target drug (cabometyx) and an IV immunotherapy drug every 4 weeks. Scans scheduled for next week to see what cancer has done? I didn’t think cancer could go to other kidney? I live very much day by day and try to enjoy life each day! It’s hard some days when I don’t feel great. The drugs have slowed me down, make me tired, changed my voice, constant cough and harder breathing. Every day I wonder how I feel but keep praying these drugs are getting rid of the cancer!
Enjoy your day. It helps a lot to share with people who live with KC too . Thank you!

I was diagnosed last November with RCC, had my right kidney removed. A follow-up CT scan showed tumors on both lungs and in shoulder muscle. I did 3 months of immunotherapy using yervoy and opdivo. The next 3 months was a double dose on opdivo. Latest CT scan showed that tumors had increased in size and a new growth on my remaining kidney. So started on the chemo pill. So hopefully this will slow the progression.

I think that would depend on the type of cancer and your age. Get a second opinion two heads are better than one. My doctor recommended my kidney surgery. Blessings and prayers…. MONA LIEBERENZ

I had my kidney removed ten years ago and have never regretted that move. However must remember that leaves you with just one kidney

@blueskies823 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. A few years ago a mass was discovered on my right kidney, during a regularly scheduled scan for my multiple myeloma. We did a followup to that mass, and I was referred to a urologist/oncologist, after the initial renal cell carcinoma diagnosis. We did a watch-and-wait for three months to observe any change in size. This was due in part to my existing multiple myeloma and also end stage renal disease already in place. Too much on my plate! We had already decided that when I started on dialysis, we would remove that kidney. After the watch-and-wait for nine months, with periodic scans, the urologist concluded this was not a cancerous mass, but rather a benign cyst due to its presentation and how it was acting.

I would strongly recommend a second opinion by a qualified specialist.
Ginger

Hi! I would think that he would have given you a ‘plan of action’. I have stage 4 kidney cancer diagnosed last September. To confirm, I had a CT scan and biopsy of pieces of my kidney. It was determined I had a large mass thus requiring full removal. I have heard that others have had a part of their kidney removed. I started with a general oncologist but after getting a second opinion, I am so glad I went to a cancer hospital where my oncologist only studies and handles kidney cancer!
I’m more than happy to discuss my process with you to give you my perspective. Kidney cancer is very specialized to each individual. Take care and please reach out with any other questions.
Koke