Kidney Cancer

[cd_droptop]

OK, my wold changed recently. I was having some pain in my legs (Sciatic?) and assumed it was from Military PT progam. I went in for Xrays on back and hips and came out with a 7-9cm complex type 3 cyst on my upper right kidney pole and a 2cm simple or 2f (depending on uroligist) on my lower left kidney. My first urologist recommeded surgery but wanted to me to see another military urology doctor at another nearby base . I took him all my MRI and CT scans, spent about 10 minutes looking over them and came in and told me I would have to have two surgeries, left first and then right second after I healed from the first. My first docs told me the left was a simple cyst, the second told me it was type 2F and the right was an 80% chance it was cancerous. No biopsies, no ultrasounds just MRI of my back and CT scans after the masses were found. I'm in the Military should I ask for a non-military referral for a kidney cancer specialst?

Scared and shooken up.

[gborin]

Your story hit a nerve. Six months before my Kidney Cancer was discovered I had the pains you describe going down my leg when I drove for an hour or more. My GP suggested i follow up with an Orthopedic Surgeon which I did not. Six months later my Kidney Cancer was discovered after my urine turned red. Now for your diagnosis. Certain types of cysts on the kidney are Cancer 90 plus percent of the time. The biopsy is not done until the surgery. Unfortunately you have to face the fact that you probably have kidney cancer. As for the different diagnosis between your Urologists it would be inappropriate for a lay person to weigh in. By all means see a doctor that is a kidney cancer specialist even if you have to go outside the military. A young Urologist in the military is not exposed to Kidney Cancer which generally strikes after 50. The Kidney Cancer specialist may be a Surgeon, an Oncologist or a Urologist who specialises in Kidney Cancer. Most do not. My Surgeon was a urologiical Oncologist who went through a training program where he did 150 kidney surgeries. The objective is to get the surgery(s) behind you. If they can get all of the Cancer out you can live a normal healthy life. I am coming upon 7 years from my surgery and even though I am turning 66 next month I am leading a normal active life.

[cd_droptop]

Thanks for the advice, I have Baptist Medical Hospital here in Pensacola and they have a large cancer unit so I'll ask for a referral down there. The second doc I saw is according to my first doc, highly rated but probably just a urologist not a urology cancer specialist. He's done lots of surgeries but I'd perfer a non-military opinion before I go under. Not that I dont trust the military, just not comforatable with the doctors...

[gborin]

With regard to the Urologist who has done lots of Surgeries make sure he is experienced with Kidney Surgery, not minor surgical procedures like prostate and vasectomys. The Urologist I go to is part of a practice of more than 20 Urologists, of which only 2 are qualified or trained to do kidney surgeries. A third doctor from the group (who visited me after my surgery) practicing 10 years or so attended my surgery as his first to determine if he was interested in learning. Urologist are trained regarding detection of Kidney Cancer and only a few are trained with respect to do kidney surgery. It is like a GP doing an appendectomy. Some do, but most do not. Kidney Cancer usually involves the removal of a kidney (Nephoroctomy) and is major abdominal Surgery, even if done Laproscopically.

[cd_droptop]

I emailed my original AF Doc and asked for a referral downtown to an oncologist.

I think I'd rather see someone who specialises in cancer and also treatment than a surgeon who specialises in kidney removal.

Second doc wanted to take part of left and all of right kidney after 10 min review of CT's...

Surgeons wanting to practice thier craft or the right thing to do?

[gborin]

It is not easy to face but surgery is the best cure for Kidney Cancer if they can do it before the Cancer spreads. If they can remove all of the Cancer and it does not spread you can be cured without chemo and without medicine. I had the surgery 7 years ago. It is not fun, but it beats the alternative. An oncologist telling you you need surgery is indicitive that the Cancer has not spread and you can be cured. I know that is not what you want to hear, but do a little reading on Stage 1 Kidney Cancer which if that is all you have it can be cured by surgery, even if it takes 2 surgeries.