Transitional Cell Tumor/treatments

My husband was diagnosed with tcc of the renal pelvis a year ago. The doctors removed his right kidney, and after the pathology report came back, they went back in and removed part of the ureter and the bladder cuff because it was squamous cell. For insurance purposes, they coded his cancer as bladder cancer because there was no code for what he has.
He took 2 treatments of carboplatin and taxol, but the cancer metastasized to the lymph nodes in his back and neck. We then went to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Tx., and he took 5 treatments of cisplatin, vinblastine, adriamycin, and methotrexate. He followed with 6 treatments of cisplatin, gemsitabine, and ifosfamide. Because of the pain in his back he is now taking 30 radiation treatments to shrink the tumors.
Is anyone else familiar with this type cancer or have any other treatments that you could suggest? Any encouragement will be appreciated.

I hope your husband is doing well and t meeting with your Oncologist went well earlier this month. Lou and I go back to his Oncologist and the Radialogist Oncologist on June 1st. Lou had a bone scan and CT scan last week because he was having pain in his back. Thank God it was not the cancer, simply a result of working out the yard (and getting older) after being inactive over the winter as a result of all the treatments. Lou is finished with radiation and is feeling very good. He went for his first haircut last Saturday. He looks good and you would never know by looking at him what he has been through. Soon you will be off school for the summer and you will again be able to spend time with your husband. I, too, feel this compelling urge to be with Lou. I value the time we share much more now than ever before. Something like this happens and you really do appreciate each other more. Keep in touch and God Bless.

I don't know how old your father is but I have just been diagnosed with cancer in my utera and they want to remove my rt kidney, ureter, and part of my bladder. I am 80 and they will make money cutting me up for a couple of years. I hope not. Maybe we should seek our maker?????

My mom is now going through a very similar thing. It's in her spine, lungs and liver. We just met with people at UM Sylvester in Miami hoping for another type of treatment.

P.M.

Hi Julie,
I read your letter and wanted you to know that my husband also has Transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis. He was also diag. with Metastatic squamous cell of the Liver. stage IV. Last Aug. he was diag. His doctor started cisplatin and gemzar. This worked for the 6 cycle tx. plan. The ct scan showed nothing. He started having blood in his urine. In March the urologist did a ureterscopy and found that he had a calsified tumor in the rt. renal pelvis. They thought it was a kidney stone the whole time. Took his right kidney and ureter all the way down to the bladder. His next chemo was carboplatin/taxol 2 tx. Ct scan showed 10to 15%growth. He started Methotrexate, ct scan showed 10 to 15% growth after 4 treatments. Also has gone to the lymph nodes around the lungs. Since it has been 6 mos. since the first chemo. of cisplatin/gemzar(gemsitabine) he said he could start this chemo again. From what I understand it will only kill the new cells since the old ones are immumed to the chemo. We wish that we knew something else that they could do. I know that this is not encouragement news but I know how you feel. We are very strong believers and we have put this in the Lords hands. He is the Great Physician. I will keep you and your husband in my prayers. God Bless You, Cheryl M