Kidney cancer suspected - Results tomorrow - Cancer: Kidney Message Board

lorenamay · 05-15-2005, 04:32 PM

Greetings!
Following a diagnosis of gall stones and the removal of my gall bladder, I have been informed that I also have a 5-6 cm mass in the lower pole of my left kidney. (I found out on 5/11/05) This mass was found upon a review of the ultrasound and CT scan for the gall bladder problem. Although I have not been experiencing any pain or symptoms, I was referred to a urologist who ordered an additional CT scan, chest xrays and blood works. I am scheduled to meet with him tomorrow morning for the results. I am dreading the meeting because, even before he ordered the barrage of new tests, he told me that it looks like cancer and that, regardless of whether the mass is benign or malignant the kidney will have to be removed. Should I be concerned with his premature diagnosis?
Thanks

awkitty77 · 05-15-2005, 10:52 PM

I really can't say what you should be expecting but I know it is really scary to hear that you have a mass and had no idea. Please let us know your results and any details that you can get on why your Dr. suspects cancer. There are some of us here who are confused with how they diagnose whether or not it is cancer. Hoping and praying for you take care.

William Y · 05-16-2005, 12:59 AM

Hi Lorenamay,

I am sorry to hear that you have a Kidney Mass on your left Kidney. When you
see the Urologist, please be calm and don't panic.

I have a Kidney Mass in size of 4.5 cm on my left Kidney and I was told that I
must have my left Kidney removed one year ago. Don't know if it is cancerous or not.The CT Scan and MRI images showed the Kidney Mass. Blood test was normal. I have no pain or symptoms from my left Kidney too.

Please let us know what is your test results and what the Urologist tells you.

lorenamay · 05-16-2005, 09:47 PM

Thank you for you advice and kindness. I am scheduled to have my entire kidney removed on June 1. The Dr. said that I am at a stage 1, which I am grateful for. Although he can't say for sure until the actual tumor is removed and tested, it doesn't appear to have metastacized. He does not foresee a need for radiation and/or chemo.

He further said that I am fortunate to have had a gall bladder attack. If not for that incident, my kidney cancer would have gone undiagnosed until it had progressed into something much more serious than what I have encountered now. Kidney cancer signs are often overlooked or attributed to something else. For example, warning signs are blood in urine (I thought it was due to my menopausal status)

Lower backache (blamed it on my office chair)

Pain in the side/flank (after effects of the gall stones?)

Rapid weight loss (I hadn't lost a pound)

Now comes the difficult part.....explaining it to my family.

Thank you for your prayers. I am sure that I will visit this sight often.
Thank you and God bless.

William Y · 05-16-2005, 11:09 PM

Did the Urologist confirm your Kidney Mass (Tumor) is cancerous ? What kind
of surgrey is scheduled on June 1, Radical Nephrectomy or Laparoscopy ? Did
you search this forum under topics "Renal Cell Carcinoma" and "RCC" for more
details of Benefits and Risks from the surgrey ? I was hesitating and cancelling
my surgrey since last year because I have learned from this forum that people
did get their Kidney Cancer spreading to their Lung after removing their Kidney.