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Kidney Mass
christine06066 posted:
I was just told that I have to have my kidney removed because of a mass found on top of my kidney. The doctor said no need to biopsy, usually 98 percent cancer. Need some feed back.
18 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Kidney MassI was just told that I have to have my kidney removed because of a mass found on top of my kidney. The doctor said no need to biopsy, usually 98 percent cancer. Need some feed back.
galemarie59 responded:
Christine: I am just curious. How large is the mass they discovered on your kidney? I am in the process of undergoing test myself for a mass on my kidney. I have had a CT Scan which discovered it, blood work and numerous urinalysis. I do have blood, protein and crystals in my urine, although the blood work looks pretty good. I had a IV contrast MRI this morning, but I am sure I will not hear anything for a few days on the result. My nephrologist is going pretty slow and being very careful in each test. Your comment about your doctor's statement shocked me. I was told that most are not cancerous.
Report This| Share this:Kidney MassChristine: I am just curious. How large is the mass they discovered on your kidney? I am in the process of undergoing test myself for a mass on my kidney. I have had a CT Scan which discovered it, blood work and numerous urinalysis. I do have blood, protein and crystals in my urine, although the blood work looks pretty good. I had a IV contrast MRI this morning, but I am sure I will not hear anything for a few days on the result. My nephrologist is going pretty slow and being very careful in each test. Your comment about your doctor's statement shocked me. I was told that most are not cancerous.
John-SKPT responded:
"Masses" differ a lot in the way that they appear on x-ray, CT, ultrasound, and MRI.
Without knowing exactly what was seen on the tests, I think that your doctors 'percentages' are not supported by the broad statistical data. (There are a lot of renal masses that are benign; but it depends on exactly what the radiologist saw and how the doctor interpreted the results.)
Unless the doc advising you is a board-certified urologist, nephrologist, or oncologist, you might want to at least have a specialist look at the radiology reports. Maybe have a long talk with a good urologist and get more tests done if there is any question.
Removing a kidney is not a simple or a small procedure. The recovery period can be rather lengthy. And while most people do very well with one kidney, you want to be sure that the unaffected kidney is in great condition before you haphazardly have one removed.
I'm just a little concerned by the doc's cavalier attitude and apparent haste to do a pretty big surgery.
Without knowing exactly what was seen on the tests, I think that your doctors 'percentages' are not supported by the broad statistical data. (There are a lot of renal masses that are benign; but it depends on exactly what the radiologist saw and how the doctor interpreted the results.)
Unless the doc advising you is a board-certified urologist, nephrologist, or oncologist, you might want to at least have a specialist look at the radiology reports. Maybe have a long talk with a good urologist and get more tests done if there is any question.
Removing a kidney is not a simple or a small procedure. The recovery period can be rather lengthy. And while most people do very well with one kidney, you want to be sure that the unaffected kidney is in great condition before you haphazardly have one removed.
I'm just a little concerned by the doc's cavalier attitude and apparent haste to do a pretty big surgery.
Report This| Share this:Kidney Mass"Masses" differ a lot in the way that they appear on x-ray, CT, ultrasound, and MRI. <br><br>Without knowing exactly what was seen on the tests, I think that your doctors 'percentages' are not supported by the broad statistical data. (There are a lot of renal masses that are benign; but it depends on exactly what the radiologist saw and how the doctor interpreted the results.) <br><br>Unless the doc advising you is a board-certified urologist, nephrologist, or oncologist, you might want to at least have a specialist look at the radiology reports. Maybe have a long talk with a good urologist and get more tests done if there is any question. <br><br>Removing a kidney is not a simple or a small procedure. The recovery period can be rather lengthy. And while most people do very well with one kidney, you want to be sure that the unaffected kidney is in great condition before you haphazardly have one removed. <br><br>I'm just a little concerned by the doc's cavalier attitude and apparent haste to do a pretty big surgery.
JazzSam responded:
My husband is 75 years old and in very good health but a large 7.4 cm mass was found on his left kidney. He was told that they are pretty sure it is cancer but they cannot be sure until they remove it and do a biopsy. It is too large to cut out. This is very upsetting. If it were smaller, they could remove the mass. Has anyone ever had this and was able to shrink it? Perhaps, if yours is smaller it can be cut out Christine.
Report This| Share this:Kidney MassMy husband is 75 years old and in very good health but a large 7.4 cm mass was found on his left kidney. He was told that they are pretty sure it is cancer but they cannot be sure until they remove it and do a biopsy. It is too large to cut out. This is very upsetting. If it were smaller, they could remove the mass. Has anyone ever had this and was able to shrink it? Perhaps, if yours is smaller it can be cut out Christine.
John-SKPT responded:
One problem with kidney masses/cancers is that they can be somewhat fast growing. This might not be the case in this instance, but you might want to ask if waiting to see if it is growing would hurt for a month or two.
Another thing is that they tend to think that doing a biopsy in place is unsafe: a needle biopsy, often done on kidneys for other reasons, is pretty successful. But a needle biopsy runs the risk of spreading a few random cells to other areas. So it is not wise in any potential cancer case. And the surgical process of getting access to a kidney is pretty involved, so a lot of surgeons think that once you get to it, you might as well go ahead and access the tissue rather than taking a boipsy sample and closing the patient up, perhaps only to have to reopen the whole thing again a day later.
Good luck.
Another thing is that they tend to think that doing a biopsy in place is unsafe: a needle biopsy, often done on kidneys for other reasons, is pretty successful. But a needle biopsy runs the risk of spreading a few random cells to other areas. So it is not wise in any potential cancer case. And the surgical process of getting access to a kidney is pretty involved, so a lot of surgeons think that once you get to it, you might as well go ahead and access the tissue rather than taking a boipsy sample and closing the patient up, perhaps only to have to reopen the whole thing again a day later.
Good luck.
Report This| Share this:Kidney MassOne problem with kidney masses/cancers is that they can be somewhat fast growing. This might not be the case in this instance, but you might want to ask if waiting to see if it is growing would hurt for a month or two. <br><br>Another thing is that they tend to think that doing a biopsy in place is unsafe: a needle biopsy, often done on kidneys for other reasons, is pretty successful. But a needle biopsy runs the risk of spreading a few random cells to other areas. So it is not wise in any potential cancer case. And the surgical process of getting access to a kidney is pretty involved, so a lot of surgeons think that once you get to it, you might as well go ahead and access the tissue rather than taking a boipsy sample and closing the patient up, perhaps only to have to reopen the whole thing again a day later. <br><br>Good luck.
WESING4U2000 responded:
Hi Christine. Sorry to wait so long to respond...I haven't had internet access for the last few days.
I had part of my kidney removed 1 year ago due to cancerous mass. Mine was small so I was able to keep part of it. The part about your doctor stating they are 98% sure it is a cancerous mass: I had four opinions on mine and they all said that very same thing except my percentage was 99%. The docs said they can look at the walls and consistency of the mass and be pretty accurate as to whether it is cancerous or not. A second or even third opinion would be warranted, just so you can have peace of mind that you have made the right decision for you and an educated one.
You will be in my prayers.
V
I had part of my kidney removed 1 year ago due to cancerous mass. Mine was small so I was able to keep part of it. The part about your doctor stating they are 98% sure it is a cancerous mass: I had four opinions on mine and they all said that very same thing except my percentage was 99%. The docs said they can look at the walls and consistency of the mass and be pretty accurate as to whether it is cancerous or not. A second or even third opinion would be warranted, just so you can have peace of mind that you have made the right decision for you and an educated one.
You will be in my prayers.
V
Report This| Share this:Kidney MassHi Christine. Sorry to wait so long to respond...I haven't had internet access for the last few days. <br><br>I had part of my kidney removed 1 year ago due to cancerous mass. Mine was small so I was able to keep part of it. The part about your doctor stating they are 98% sure it is a cancerous mass: I had four opinions on mine and they all said that very same thing except my percentage was 99%. The docs said they can look at the walls and consistency of the mass and be pretty accurate as to whether it is cancerous or not. A second or even third opinion would be warranted, just so you can have peace of mind that you have made the right decision for you and an educated one. <br><br>You will be in my prayers. <br><br>V
meme200 responded:
ok i am just wondering something.I too have been diagnosed as having a mass on my left kidney which i had surgery in "99" for a 8 cm kidney stone. Now they r telling me its a 16 ml mass ,my kidney doctor at the time wouldnt even disscuss trying to find out what it was, he said oh its probably a cyst. Ok how r u suppose to know that without even trying to find out.I have recently moved to KC,MO and i have a new doc so they had me get a ct scan yesterday and blood work done.I had a urine routine done in dec and in jan got results from it, said i had too much salt and not producing enough urine for a 24 hour period,i have 3 stones size's, 3ml,5ml 5ml in my right kidney now.
Report This| Share this:Kidney Massok i am just wondering something.I too have been diagnosed as having a mass on my left kidney which i had surgery in "99" for a 8 cm kidney stone. Now they r telling me its a 16 ml mass ,my kidney doctor at the time wouldnt even disscuss trying to find out what it was, he said oh its probably a cyst. Ok how r u suppose to know that without even trying to find out.I have recently moved to KC,MO and i have a new doc so they had me get a ct scan yesterday and blood work done.I had a urine routine done in dec and in jan got results from it, said i had too much salt and not producing enough urine for a 24 hour period,i have 3 stones size's, 3ml,5ml 5ml in my right kidney now.
WESING4U2000 responded:
Hi Christine. I am not a doctor but I am a kidney cancer survivor. The ct scan, especially if it had contrasts, should show whether you have a mass or it's stones. Once you get the results from the tests you have just completed and doctors are still not sure...I would definitely follow-up and request other things be done. Maybe even go to a completely different urologist/nephrologist for another opinion. The first doctor saying, "It's probably just a cyst...", I would not have been satisfied by that either. We, as humans, worry about these things until we know for sure what we are dealing with. I think that was completely unacceptable.
Keep us posted! Praying for the best!
V
Keep us posted! Praying for the best!
V
Report This| Share this:Kidney MassHi Christine. I am not a doctor but I am a kidney cancer survivor. The ct scan, especially if it had contrasts, should show whether you have a mass or it's stones. Once you get the results from the tests you have just completed and doctors are still not sure...I would definitely follow-up and request other things be done. Maybe even go to a completely different urologist/nephrologist for another opinion. The first doctor saying, "It's probably just a cyst...", I would not have been satisfied by that either. We, as humans, worry about these things until we know for sure what we are dealing with. I think that was completely unacceptable. <br><br>Keep us posted! Praying for the best! <br><br>V
WESING4U2000 responded:
Sorry meme200 - typed the wrong name on my response!
Sometimes my fingers move faster than my brain!
V
Sometimes my fingers move faster than my brain!
V
Report This| Share this:Kidney MassSorry meme200 - typed the wrong name on my response! <br><br>Sometimes my fingers move faster than my brain! <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/eek.gif" align="top" border="0"> <br><br>V
meme200 responded:
lolz its ok and yes i had a ct with contrast done on monday,i been told twice before this ct that it was a mass,thats why it bothers me because cancer runs high in my family and if it is a cancer mass they better be doing somthing about it i am only 39 yrs old.
Report This| Share this:Kidney Masslolz its ok and yes i had a ct with contrast done on monday,i been told twice before this ct that it was a mass,thats why it bothers me because cancer runs high in my family and if it is a cancer mass they better be doing somthing about it i am only 39 yrs old.
lauriepowell responded:
I was told I have a mass measuring 7.5 cm. In the long run I was told cancer wasn't a worry. I have seen 2 urologist and 1 nepherologist. They weren't concerned by it because they found hundreds of them from small to 7.5 cm. In the end I found out I had PKD (polycystic kidney disease).
I believe in getting many opinions. If I were you I would do the same.
I believe in getting many opinions. If I were you I would do the same.
Report This| Share this:Kidney MassI was told I have a mass measuring 7.5 cm. In the long run I was told cancer wasn't a worry. I have seen 2 urologist and 1 nepherologist. They weren't concerned by it because they found hundreds of them from small to 7.5 cm. In the end I found out I had PKD (polycystic kidney disease). <br><br>I believe in getting many opinions. If I were you I would do the same.
gabby2009 responded:
well i go to the kidney doc on april 1st we will see what he has to say i go to the other doc on friday i also have type 2 diabetes too.my sugar had been running high and they changed my meds from metformin to actos and another one so i been battleing low blood sugar now..lolz its a never ending battle seems like.
Report This| Share this:Kidney Masswell i go to the kidney doc on april 1st we will see what he has to say i go to the other doc on friday i also have type 2 diabetes too.my sugar had been running high and they changed my meds from metformin to actos and another one so i been battleing low blood sugar now..lolz its a never ending battle seems like.
Talllady1173 replied to WESING4U2000's response:
I have to ask, my best guy friend just had his kidney removed, and he is doing good. The only thing that is going on now is he is itching from head to toe. The doctors can not figure it out. I went to pharmacy today to get him some Aveeno bath stuff to soothe the itching, and the pharmacist said that sometimes when a kidney is removed you will have the itching due to the changing of the body. She said that you would need to change your diet and have the doc check the sugar levels. Have you experienced anything like this... It is driving him up the wall. He is taking claritin, aveeno baths, changed the soap powder, but is still having problems...
Report This| Share this:Kidney MassI have to ask, my best guy friend just had his kidney removed, and he is doing good. The only thing that is going on now is he is itching from head to toe. The doctors can not figure it out. I went to pharmacy today to get him some Aveeno bath stuff to soothe the itching, and the pharmacist said that sometimes when a kidney is removed you will have the itching due to the changing of the body. She said that you would need to change your diet and have the doc check the sugar levels. Have you experienced anything like this... It is driving him up the wall. He is taking claritin, aveeno baths, changed the soap powder, but is still having problems...
OtherJohn replied to Talllady1173's response:
There is a loss of kidney function when one kidney is removed. The remaining kidney will eventuall make up for some of the lost function, but this can take a number of months.
It would be good to have his blood levels checked again. If the phosphorus (or the calcium X phosphate product) is high, he should try to stick to a reduced phosphate diet for a while. If the urea nitrogen level is high, he might benefit from reducing protein intake a bit for a while.
This is probably not permanent but needs attention. Dialysis patients suffer from the really terrible generalized itching for years; thank goodness in his case, it probably will improve after a span of months.
Contact his doctor about a set of basic blood tests.
It would be good to have his blood levels checked again. If the phosphorus (or the calcium X phosphate product) is high, he should try to stick to a reduced phosphate diet for a while. If the urea nitrogen level is high, he might benefit from reducing protein intake a bit for a while.
This is probably not permanent but needs attention. Dialysis patients suffer from the really terrible generalized itching for years; thank goodness in his case, it probably will improve after a span of months.
Contact his doctor about a set of basic blood tests.
Report This| Share this:Kidney MassThere is a loss of kidney function when one kidney is removed. The remaining kidney will eventuall make up for some of the lost function, but this can take a number of months.<br /><br />It would be good to have his blood levels checked again. If the phosphorus (or the calcium X phosphate product) is high, he should try to stick to a reduced phosphate diet for a while. If the urea nitrogen level is high, he might benefit from reducing protein intake a bit for a while.<br /><br />This is probably not permanent but needs attention. Dialysis patients suffer from the really terrible generalized itching for years; thank goodness in his case, it probably will improve after a span of months.<br /><br />Contact his doctor about a set of basic blood tests.
BTW: clairitn might not be the wisest thing to take right now. Even over the counter meds have significant side effects, and hypertension is one wityh clairitin, so is itchy skin.)
Report This| Share this:Kidney MassBTW: clairitn might not be the wisest thing to take right now. Even over the counter meds have significant side effects, and hypertension is one wityh clairitin, so is itchy skin.)
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