what to expect when rcc has metasticized to brain

Hello,

My father was diagnosed with stage IV renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) this past November. He has mets in the lungs and just found out last week that he has 10 mets of different sizes (3 that are over 2 cm) in the brain. His optimistic doctor says that this is not good. He started whole brain radiation last week and will finish next week.

He's been given 4-6 months if the mets come back (or, of course, more...we can only hope!). I had been holding out hope for my dad when we understood that he had mets in the lungs, since it seems that folks can live a long time managing the cancer via drugs like Sutent. However, this brain news changes everything.

He had been exhibiting symptoms indicative of tumors (behavior and cognitive changes) over the last 2 months. He's currently on a steroid that has taken the inflammation down and is more like himself now than he has been in a long time. I just don't know what to expect after this. If anyone can offer advice and experience I would really appreciate it. I need to sort of prepare myself for what's to come. I know that everyone's experience is different, but any input will be helpful at this point since I don't really know anything about this other than what the doc has said. And I need to prepare myself and maximize "good" time that is left with him.I also live in a different state and have small children.

He's receiving treatment at Duke and will go back on Sutent in a week.

Kate;

You can try checking out the brain cancer site here.  May help to ask someone on there.  I don't know too much about metasticized brain cancer.  My husband has primary to the brain.  Good luck, God Bless you during this tough time.

Donna

Your father's situation is very similar to my husband's (age 59).  18 months ago, he was diagnosed with RCC with mets to the lungs.  His kidney was removed and since then he's been on Sutent and doing fine.  In June, they found mets to the brain.  He did 5 days of radiation and went on the steroids.  He had a cat scan last week and there are no more mets to any other organs.  We got a really vague time frame.  He will have a brain MRI on Wed. to see how the radiation worked.  We'll go from there........

I'd like to know how your father fares and I'll keep you updated on our situation.

Sue (Boodmum)

My ex-husband has brain mets.  Instead of whole brain radiation he had cyber knife therapy.  Cyber knife is a specific or targeted radiation therapy.  It does little or no damage to surrounding tissues -- very important in the brain.  Also, it stops at the tumor or affected site and doesn't go through the brain.  Whole brain radiation was suggested, but that can be too devastating to the brain and ultimately to the person.  We have noticed an immediate improvement and it seems to continue to improve -- treatment was 4 weeks ago.