Kidney Cancer/Lung

Hi Everyone, I am new on here and came across this Board while researching.  I live in Australia and my father has been diagnosed with cancer (although not actually directly) was told 90% chance it is and I am sure by the doctors comments that it is.  He has a mass the size of a plum on his kidney and has now had a chest xray and told there is a mass the size of a marble on his lung. Also there appeared to be liver metastasis.  The doctors only seemed worried about the chest xray and kept saying it didnt look good.

First we were told they would probably take the kidney out (this is the primary cancer) and now the consultants say they want a CT scan and if there are any more marks on the lungs they will not put him through an operation for the kidney.  I take this to mean it has spread too much.

Also my father is 77 yrs old with a pacemaker and on coumadin and many other medications including antidepressants.  In saying that the cardiologist said he was fit to have an operation if needed. Another problem is that he does not have health insurance and our health system is getting worse.   

My worry is that I do not know what stage he is and at this point in time my father knows he has kidney cancer but is not sure exactly why they are doing the ct scan. 

We have already waited 3-4 weeks and now told another 2-3 weeks for an appt for an emergency ct scan.  I am very worried about the timing and not sure has long he has had this as his stomach is very distended and has difficulty breathing (this could also be due to his heart problems, not sure?). 

I know I should not blame myself but as I am the one taking him to doctor's appts I feel I should have pushed for more tests earlier as he was always tired.  He also has anaemia and osteoporosis.

Sorry for the long long winded msg (i think it is therapeutic for me) and thank you for letting me vent.  Any help and information would be appreciated.

Dorrie

2-3 Weeks for a CT scan?!  That's terrible.  I am so sorry.  My father also has kidney cancer, but we are in the US.  If they will not operate, which probably does make sense, then he should start right away on one of the new RCC drugs (assuming he would be medically elligible with all of his conditions).  Sutent is the first one to ask your doctor about.  It is not a cure, but for many, it gives you more time by preventing the cancer from progressing.  In fact, it sometimes helps to shrink the tumors.  Nexavar is the other big new drug for RCC.

They are probably saying no to surgery because it has spread, and because the tumor on the kidney is not an immediate emergency.  My father had to have his removed immediately.  It was so big that it had taken over the entire kidney and then some.  He would have died within a month had they not removed it.  Removing your father's tumor on his kidney would probably not aid him all that greatly, and there are A LOT of risks with doing a radical nephrectomy (the surgical procedure to remove the kidney).  

IL-2 is another treatment for RCC, and can sometimes be curative, but only for about 3% of people.  The treament is extremely harsh--you have to receive it while in an intensive care unit in the hospital.  This is probably not a good option for your father since he is older and has some other health problems.

Time is of the essence--try to get those doctors moving.  And ask about Sutent and Nexavar.  Be warned though, they can be extremely expensive if you don't have some sort of insurance.  Or do you have socialized health care there?

 Best of luck.

Thank you for the reply and information FightingforDad.  I am also sorry to hear about your dad.  Hope he is doing ok.  The 2-3 weeks ended up being only 1 week. He started on Sutent today (31/5/) 37.5mg.  Am still worried things might get worse due to his other health issues but he wanted to try chemo - they gave his 12mths -2 years and that was a shock for us all.  He does not have insurance and our medicare system (healthcare) here is getting quite bad now.  As he is on so much medication anyway he has reached his limit and now receives free medication.

He also wants to try juicing.  My daughter is getting married in March 08 and he has another granddaughter marrying in July 08.  He is not normally a fighter but he wants to fight.  I am worried about the side effects if Sutent.  Also this medication in Australia is only now just in the process of being registered.

Thanks again....and any suggestions re juicing.  Dorrie