Carol Anne.
I want to first say that when the Dr. says it is treatable - they explained it to my us as "There is no cure for Renal Cell Cancer, but it can be treated." "Just like there is no cure for High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Diabeties, there are treatments but no cure" So look at it that way. There are people out there who have been living with Renal Cell Cancer for a very long time. One person I know of for 11 years. So there is hope out there. You need to find the right drug as we too are searching for. It gets very discouraging when you hear bad news and I've been told it is going to be a roller coaster more downs than ups, so keep strong for your brother and hopefully you too have someone to confide in. Every person is different in many ways so can't take all bad news to heart and hope all the success stories apply to your brother. My husband was diagnosed same time as your brother, let me share our experiences: My husband Rich (72) had his left kidney removed April 08. Three months later had follow up CT and found that the cancer came back. Mass in Psoas Muscle (lower left back) and a dozen nodules spread to his lungs. He did 23 treatments of radiation on the Psoas muscle. After that was done, the started him on Sutent 37.5 mg - 4 weeks on 2 weeks off. Side affects were fatigue, sore feet, mouth sores (minor), numb in the fingers, sore butt cheeks and loss of taste buds. He did three rounds of this. Had CT scan and show that the Psoas muscle decreased in size and 3 nodules in lungs increased and another one appeared. Switched to Nexavar on April 17th. 4 pills daily 200mg each two in a.m., two in p.m. - same side affects. Had CT on June 12th and showed that nodules in lungs again got larger and another one appeared. Psoas muscle again got smaller. This is important and good news about the Psoas muscle as if this mass goes to the bone, there is a chance of him not walking. So now starting Monday 6/23 he is starting IV of Torisel once per week. Rich started a cough about a week ago and the CT showed a little fluid build up in his right lung. He has to sleep practically sitting up as when he lays down causes him to cough. Dr. has him on cough suppressent and hoping the treatments will take care of the fluid build up. But I must say and suggest that you ask any questions you may have no matter how stupied you may think they are. Write down everything and always feel free to talk to Dr. or his assigned nurse. Please keep me posted on your brother and feel free to ask me anything any time and I will try to share experiences with you. My best to you both.
KatrinaR
On 6/19/2008 carol anne wrote:
My brother was disgnosed with kdney cancer early April 08 and had his right kidney removed on April22 08. It was also discovered thru a scan that he had multiple spots on both lungs. I am the older sister so I went with my brother on Monday June 16 08 to the oncologist. He stated the facts to us. He said that there were too many small tumors to operate and this type of cancer was incurable but it was treatable. What does this mean??Right now he has put him on a female horomone to try to put some weight on. He is only 120lbs. He said they will do another scan of the lungs in a month. If the tumors are not growing he said he will do nothing but if they are getting getting larger he will try him on sutent. Here in Canada they told us it is 50,000 for the year. Really pricey but who cares as long as it helps. Are there alot of side effects to this drug??. I am very new to this cancer thing and any help would be so greatly appreciated. My mother dies 12 months ago of Alzheimers disease Dad of cancer a few years earlier and this is my only brother and no sisters. I do have a husband and 3 girls but I have always been close to my brother. God Bless Everyone!