Where Is The Best Kidney Cancer Treatment In The S.F. Bay Area

 

My father (age 72) has suspected Stage IV kidney cancer that they think has metasticized to the lungs and other organs, e.g., liver.  They are doing a kidney and liver biopsy on Wednesday, but have not yet done MRI's and are relying on his symptoms (chronic cough, pain in side, etc.) and chest x-rays and ultra-sound as the basis for the biopsies.  My uncle is a urologist has talked to my father's doctor, and has suggested that we should brace ourselves for the worst.

I am hoping somehow that they are wrong, but am wondering from other patients in similar situations which hospitals they felt that they received the best, most thorough care, in our area b/c I would really like to make sure he gets the best treatment. It makes me sick to think that this might have been treatable if we had caught it earlier.  His onset of symptoms was in November w/ some of them going away, but he has a chronic cough right now.  I'm not sure of the other symptoms because he's very stubborn and tries to protect us. 

The awful doctor/hospital he went to initially had taken chest rays (I think in December) and found nothing in the lungs so I am very confused how they can detect nodules now, after only a few months. I want to make sure that we do the best we can for him so any advice on where he can get good care (and red flags to be aware) would be appreciated.

I think he vascillates between denial and shock/fear and am scared so much that he may not be able to handle a frightening diagnosis.   I can barely think straight  myself so trying to get as much information as I can so I can help him.  Thanks so much in advance.

To hear what other kidney cancer patients/caregivers have to say about doctors in the San Francisco Bay area, join the Kidney-Onc email support list (see http://cancerguide.org/kofaq/  ). 

 The Kidneey Cancer Association maintains a list of kidney cancer specialists, but docs have to request to be on it, and some vary good docs have never asked.  Call 800-850-9132 to see if they have anyone in SF on their list.

Thank you so much for the helpful information!  What a godsend these bulletin boards are.  I am taking your advice and trying both of these resources.

Howdy my friend and fellow combatee....You are very right, the best doctor you have is ourselves, we read everything there is to know about RCC, most of the time I stay ahead of my doctor concerning treatment, they just don't have time to research all the newest reatments like I do....I was the 1st patient to get nexavar in the whole state of Nevada, why??? because I knew everything about it before it became available to the public, it worked well for 10 months ,even at half doseage most of the time...since then I have gone through almost everyone of the new treatments one after another...Just had my L4 vertabra removed because of a large met to it and the whole area around it, the pain was terrorable befor  surgery,now its gone, but I still must deal with its aftermath, I am still able to walk and thank god for that too....Good luck with your treatments...Mel from Northern Nevada