Recurring Kidney Cancer

My 68-year-old mother had a cancerous kidney removed in 1995 and was given a clean bill of health at her 5-year checkup.  This last Sunday she went to the emergency room and was diagnosed with recurring kidney cancer.  Is this the same as recurring renal cell cancer?

She has multiple tumors, including baseball and orange size, that are constricting the blood flow to her heart and pressing against her trachea causing uncontrollable coughing.   

I've been on the computer (almost non-stop) since the diagnosis and I'm trying to learn as much as I possible can.  The doctor didn't indicate how much time he thought she might have left, but did say he was hoping it was non-hodkins lymphoma or lung cancer as those are easier to treat.    He plans to start her on Sutent and hopes this will bring more comfort to the trachea area. 

I've read enough on the internet to know that this diagnosis is bleak, at best.  I'm reaching out here hoping that some of you will be able to help me with understanding this cancer and help me with questions I should be asking the oncologist.

Thanking you in advance,

Karen Petree

Hi Karen,

 My father had a kidney transplant four years ago when he was 79.  They took out his left kidney because it looked suspicious.  It turned out to be grade 3/4 kidney cancer.  This past June they discovered a large mass on his left side.  After a CATScan, a failed biopsy, and by the way the  mass was behaving and growing it was determined that he had recurrent renal cell carcinoma.  It grew back in the renal bed that the diseased kidney was removed from.  His antirejection medicine was fueling this mass.  It was growing rapidly.  It has invaded his new kidney and they have discovered nodules in his right lung.  All the doctors have basically told him there is nothing they can do but try a new antirejection med. to slow down the growth.  I do not know if it is because of his age or his transplant meds that they will not try anything for him.  He goes to an oncologist now but besides complaining about how sick he feels nothing can alleviate his worries.  I hope all goes well with your mother.  You and yours will be in my prayers.

 Pat

Hi Karen,

My husband (56) has Clear Cell Renal Cancer which is the same as kidney cancer.  He had his right kidney and a grapefruit sized tumor removed in 2001.  We learned of his cancer in July of 2001 when they found it in his right forearm, we thought he had a bone cyst.  This type of cancer is undetectable in the blood as there are no known markers for it at this time.  That makes it very hard to find early.  You will see it abbreviated as RCC many times.  I think this must be what your mother has most likely since they are planning to treat it with Sutent.  This drug is much better than what was offered in 2001.  On 9/11/07, my husband had an MRI done which confirmed two inoperable brain metasis.  They are also seeing 8 abnormalities in his pancreas which they believe to be RCC.  On 9/25 and 10/2 the tumors in the brain were treated using CyberKnife which is stereotactic radiation, very targeted vs. doing whole brain radiation.  He is doing well.  We start Sutent this week to try and shrink the abnormalities in his pancreas.  My advice is to find a medical oncologist that specializes in Renal Cell cancer.  Not sure what part of the US you live in, but we are blessed with a wonderful doctor in Dallas, his name is Thomas Hutson.  First treatment option considered is typically surgery but if that is not an option, Sutent is the next best from what we are being told.  It can be expensive.  The Kidney Cancer Foundation is a good place for information.  Praying that you will be led by God's peace in the right direction.

 Susan B

Karen,

Thank you for praying.  My husband's first name is Roland so that you can pray for him by name.  What is your mom's first name?  I will definitely be praying for her as well.

Just in case you were to need targeted radiation, CyberKnife has been used successfully on 90 year old patients with little side effects.  It is really knifeless surgery done with sub-millameter radiation that kills the tumors and can be used any where in the body except in the bowel or tongue.  There are centers in MO:

On 10/17/2007 Subob wrote:

Karen,

Thank you for praying.  My husband's first name is Roland so that you can pray for him by name.  What is your mom's first name?  I will definitely be praying for her as well.

Just in case you were to need targeted radiation, CyberKnife has been used successfully on 90 year old patients with little side effects.  It is really knifeless surgery done with sub-millameter radiation that kills the tumors and can be used any where in the body except in the bowel or tongue.  There are centers in MO:

Saint Louis University Cancer Center

Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA St. John’s Cancer Center, St. John’s Hospital Springfield, MO, 65804, USA I'm not familiar with MO enough to know if these would be near you or not.  I just wanted you to know that we consider this new technology miracle technology.  An oncology nurse who attends our church and just happens to be a part of my ladie's prayer team got us an appointment with a belieiving doctor who gave us hope and peace so we know that it was from God.  When the doctors were saying my husband had 3 weeks to live if he did not do whole brain radiation, we were in fear but then God began to lead us in peace.  May you be led in Peace and Wisdom from on High. In God's Hands - Susan B

Thank you so much, Susan!  Yes, I'll be praying for you and Roland by name.  Springfield is just a couple of hours from us.  I'll be checking into that.  God had been gracious enough to give me peace about Mom's dilemna that my non-believing friends and co-workers don't understand why I'm not beside myself.  I know that, no matter what happens now, He is with me and my mom!