Kidney Cancer

[baby_sister]

They found masses in my left kidney three years ago. Dr. said they were small, under 2cm, and that the blood in my urine was just a leaky kidney. Now at last CT scan, I have two masses that have got quite large 7cm and 12cm, with a 3cm area on my spleen. I am anemic and have low WBC, with high lympocytes. Besides showing blood in my urine, I have quite alot of protein now too. My Dr. wants to do a cytoscopy, but thats not for three more weeks. Any advice on this from those that have been there?

[gborin]

From my experience 5 1/2 years ago the CT scan can identify Kidney Cancer with some degree of clarity. When i had blood in the urine I was sent to a top urologist in Metropolian Detroit, Fortunately after the CT scan came back positve for Kidney Cancer he gave my care to a new associate who had just completeed a fellowship involving laprocopic removal of Kidneys and urologic oncology. I trust the new guy rather than the urologist with the pedigree who I do not believe had any knowledge in this field and despite 20 years of experience in Urology was going to observe my surgery as his first regarding Kidney removal. He did not but another young Urologist who I saw for aftercare observed my operation as his first,. If there is a suspiscion of Kidney Cancer make sure you are seen not by just an ordinary urologist, but by a urologist, oncologist or surgeon who specialises in this field, The Cytoscopy is to determine if you have bladder cancer and is one of those fun tests that you have irrespective of whether you have kidney cancer with these symptoms. Read my post 5 years and counting for a happy ending. Good Luck! gborin

[baby_sister]

So did you have the CT scan with contrast to decide if it was cancer? And what do you think, those three years ago when small "areas" were detected, do you think Dr's dismiss something if the patient is poor without health insurance? It sounds like you are doing good, and I appreciate you letting me pick your brain about your experiences. You say CT scan can detect cancer. When I had these CT's of mine done at one hospital, thats when they sent me to the urologist that is to do my cytoscopy. But I have been researching my kidneys, blood results, and urine results pretty much on my own. So, were your blood test results off also, and urinalysis off? Thank you Mary

[baby_sister]

Oh, are severe leg cramps a part of kidney problems? I get them so bad my legs feel like rocks and it feels like my bones will break. Is it all related?

[gborin]

First of all I am not a doctor so I can only relate my opinion as someone who had Kidney Cancer. Your 2 CT scans need to be discussed with the Doctor who has reviewed and seen them as well as the Radiologist's report. There are a lot of things that show up on the CT scan that are not Kidney Cancer. Kidney Cancer grows slowly over a period of years. You advise as to a significant growth over 2 years which could very well be something else. Get a copy of the CT report so that you have at least the opinion of the Radiologist. From the booklet i read in the doctor's office only 1 in 4 cases of blood in the urine turn out to be Kidney Cancer. CT scans can not confirm Cancer. I was told by my doctor that my tumor as it appeared on the CT scan was consistent with Cancer and that was confirmed by a pathologist who dissected my tumor after it was removed. As for symptoms of Kidney Cancer there are few such as blood in the urine and pain around the kidney. One of the problems with kidney cancer is that it is often years before it is diagnosed often by accident. If caught in time it can be surgically removed without further complications. gborin