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What questions should I be asking oncologists/surgical urologists?

Posted by txpmb @txpmb, May 6 2:45pm

I have an appointment at Duke and with a local oncologist this week to get a treatment plan for noninvasive papillary urothelial carcinoma on left ureter, plus renal scan shows a non functioning left kidney. Last week local surgeon says I am not a candidate for chemo due to stage 3b ckd and should try remove kidney first and then do immunotherapy. My nephrologist seemed surprised that he opted for no chemo. Please share your experiences.

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jv1715 | @jv1715 | May 7 10:06am

My oncologist pretty much left it to my urologist/surgeon to make the calls. So I stopped going to my oncologist and follow my urologists recommendations.
So far, so good.
I had right idney surgery where he removed 10% of the kidney. I have an MRI and bloodwork next week and urologist visit in a couple of weeks.

This too shall pass!

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 18 4:38pm

I'm a bit late to the discussion. I think you've already had your appointment. Questions I would ask would include:
- What is the stage of my cancer?
- What are my treatment options?
- What considerations need to be considered because I have stage 3 kidney disease?
- What are the potential risks of each treatment?
- Is there one treatment that you feel is best for me?
- What will determine whether I should plan for a follow-up visit?

@txpmb, how did your appointment go? What treatment plan was recommended for you?

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1 reply
txpmb | @txpmb | May 19 10:58am
In reply to @colleenyoung "I'm a bit late to the discussion. I think you've already had your appointment. Questions I..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

I'm a bit late to the discussion. I think you've already had your appointment. Questions I would ask would include:
- What is the stage of my cancer?
- What are my treatment options?
- What considerations need to be considered because I have stage 3 kidney disease?
- What are the potential risks of each treatment?
- Is there one treatment that you feel is best for me?
- What will determine whether I should plan for a follow-up visit?

@txpmb, how did your appointment go? What treatment plan was recommended for you?

Jump to this post

I am scheduled for a nephrourectomy at Duke on May 22. Both oncologists said that immunotherapy with keytruda every 3 weeks will follow. Both said keytruda would be more effective for me than chemo. They will however wash the bladder with chemo during the surgery as a preventative step. I was happily surprised that they moved the surgery up 2 weeks when I asked.

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 31 8:49pm
In reply to @txpmb "I am scheduled for a nephrourectomy at Duke on May 22. Both oncologists said that immunotherapy..." + (show)
@txpmb

I am scheduled for a nephrourectomy at Duke on May 22. Both oncologists said that immunotherapy with keytruda every 3 weeks will follow. Both said keytruda would be more effective for me than chemo. They will however wash the bladder with chemo during the surgery as a preventative step. I was happily surprised that they moved the surgery up 2 weeks when I asked.

Jump to this post

@txpmb, thinking of you as you recover from surgery. I look forward to your next update.

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