Dear Patricia,
I know how discouraging it can be, but tell your boyfriend to hang in there. There is hope and God willing he will defeat this thing too.
My kidney tumor was first discovered in December 2003 and my surgery in January 2004. The tumor was 10cmx11cm but did not invade the renal artery. The doctors removed the tumor and kidney... they said that they had gotten it all. At the time there were no other treatments Sutent and other treatments did not exist), so it was a relief that they had gotten it all. Of course, I still went for check-ups and scans. Then, in January 2007 they discovered spots on my lungs. After all the tests and a needle biopsy it was confirmed that the RCC had come back. In late March I was put on the 50 mg. of Sutent for two and a half weeks ( It was horrible). My Doctor took me off the sutent and sent me for two weeks of radiation to the left lung (where the largest tumors were) and then I wnt on 25 mg. of Sutent. I don't want to mislead you, I still had and have some side affects,but they are much more tolerable.
I hope this helps. If you have any more questions please feel free to ask.
God Bess
Donna