What sort of prognosis can I expect

My husband has stage 4 rcc he is 71 years old and very  fit. he was diagnosed with rcc on the 24 Dec 2008. no signs or symptoms except a mass at the sterno-claviclular region. He has had radiation on this area (ten sessions) and the mass has reduced in size. We have been to two urologists who have both felt a nephrectomy is not a choice at this stage. He will start Nexavar tomorrow. We would like to hear of similar experiences and the outcomes.

regards

Judy

Judy - I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis. I hope Nexavar does the business and either keeps the tumours under control or even shrinks the primary enough to make it operable maybe (if that is the issue?). I do know of a 64 year old whose primary was too tricky to remove, and whose physical conditon was too weak, who was then put on Torisel with excellent results, saw primary and mets shrink, and the primary shrink enough for a successful nephrectomy.

I do hope that things go well for your husband. These new drugs are very powerful, and have changed the outlook for RCC considerably - to the benefit of the patients!

Best wishes, Julie 

 

 

On 1/18/2009 judy101 wrote:

My husband has stage 4 rcc he is 71 years old and very  fit. he was diagnosed with rcc on the 24 Dec 2008. no signs or symptoms except a mass at the sterno-claviclular region. He has had radiation on this area (ten sessions) and the mass has reduced in size. We have been to two urologists who have both felt a nephrectomy is not a choice at this stage. He will start Nexavar tomorrow. We would like to hear of similar experiences and the outcomes.

regards

Judy

 

 I am also 71 and the Drs did not remove my kidney, I think this was because I also had a large tumor in my brain stem and noone expected me to last beyond 3 months. Radiation has shrunk the tumor alot.  I am on Torisel for the 2 small mets to my lungs.  I could not tolerate Sutent and am currently on Torisel which doesnt cause the severe mouth sores and blood clots that Sutent did. Each patient is different and many take Sutent with minimal problems I was diagnosed in Aug of 2007and feeling okay except for tiredness and altered taste. I t is a tough battle with many ups and downs but I am still her for my husband and grown children and that what matters.