Low Grade Transitional Cell Kidney Cancer, Lung Metastisis

One of my family members recently was told that their low grade transitional cell kidney cancer metastisized in the lungs. Has anyone ever heard of a LOW GRADE transitional cell cancer originating in the kidney ever doing this? Multiple doctors that we have seen have said that they have not seen this occur. Any information would be helpful! Thanks!

Whether low or high grade transitional cell carcinoma and other cancers metastasize.  It is what makes them a "cancer ".  The only difference is the risk and the speed in which they do so.  If it is a solitary met then surgery or local irradiation may be of benefit with chemo.  If it is multiple then I would wait and follow expectantly and only treat when there are symptoms or danger of them.  With a low grade tumor , even with multiple mets the patient can live relatively symptom free for sometimes years.  Getting more tissue may be indicated to verify histology and make sure it has not "converted" to high grade.

On 9/24/2007 Witchdoctor wrote:

Whether low or high grade transitional cell carcinoma and other cancers metastasize.  It is what makes them a "cancer ".  The only difference is the risk and the speed in which they do so.  If it is a solitary met then surgery or local irradiation may be of benefit with chemo.  If it is multiple then I would wait and follow expectantly and only treat when there are symptoms or danger of them.  With a low grade tumor , even with multiple mets the patient can live relatively symptom free for sometimes years.  Getting more tissue may be indicated to verify histology and make sure it has not "converted" to high grade.

Thanks for answering my post! It is multiple (about 30) small (under 1.7cm) nodules in both lungs. The doctors are seem to be treating this like a high grade transitional cell metastized kidney cancer. They did say that they thought that once it has spread to the lungs, it doesn't matter whether it is high or low grade. It seems to me, though that if it is from low grade cells, it should be at least a little less aggressive than if it were from high grade cells. They are planning on starting chemo with a clinical trial drug next week. I was just wondering whether there is anyone out there (or if anyone has heard of anyone) with this low grade tranistional cell cancer starting in the kidney that has metastized to the lungs. I was wondering what their course of treatment was, how it went, what happened, etc. Anything to get more information about her specific type of cancer. Thanks!

In January 2007 my wife was diagnosed with transitional cell cancer of the renal pelvis, with metastasis ("numerous" nodules) to her lungs. Her kidney, ureter, and a small superficial tumor in her bladder were removed.

The hospital oncologist told me it would be a miracle if she lived 6 months because of the extent of her lung metastasis. Statistically, he said, once diagnosed with metastatic TCC, patients generally survive 9 - 13 months with chemotherapy.

There were both "low grade" and "high grade" cells noted on the pathology report. I don't know what causes the difference in high and low, or if it changes for each cell at any time. In any event, TCC is an aggressive cancer.

She went onto an aggressive MVAC regimen with another oncologist who refused to pronounce an expiration date - weekly doses as long as she could stand it (adequate blood cell counts). MVAC is a harsh regimen, and by December 2007 her marrow was too weak to produce adequate hemoglobin and WBC. Her last chemo treatment was in early January 2008. The cancer thrived, and her decline was dramatic.

Karen passed away on 2/8/08 - thirteen months to the day from her diagnosis. She fought hard, and with incredible strength that I don't know how she mustered. We searched everywhere, high and low, for almost a year for all possible options - trials, innovations, etc. Nothing was available because of the extent of her lung metastasis. We were told that any more than three lung nodules made it impossible to treat with radiation or surgery.

I wish there was better news. I wish we could have had better news, or a better chance. TCC doesn't appear to be on anyone's "priority list" for more effective treatment.

I wish you all the best, and a better outcome than ours. I would recommend searching every possible avenue for every possible trial or innovation out there. My heart is with you.

Jack