Mets Kidney Cancer

I am very new to the messsage boards and cancer. My father had been having headaches for about a month and was finally taken to the ER last Wed. They found a brain tumor the size of a lemon and scheduled emergency brain surgery the following day. We were absolutely shocked. MRI report proved he had stage 4 kidney cancer that had mets to his brain. They removed the tumor with a successful surgery and are now planning a PET scan for next week with a surgery tenatively scheduled a few days later. They are not seeing any other sign of cancer in his body although the size of the tumor in his kidney is 9.68 cm with a 7 cm cyst around it. They will be removing his adrenal gland as well. What does this all mean. Is he curable? Will removing the tumors rid his body? What do I need to prepare for? I am devastated and desperately looking for answers.

 

On 6/14/2009 needsupport wrote:

I am very new to the messsage boards and cancer. My father had been having headaches for about a month and was finally taken to the ER last Wed. They found a brain tumor the size of a lemon and scheduled emergency brain surgery the following day. We were absolutely shocked. MRI report proved he had stage 4 kidney cancer that had mets to his brain. They removed the tumor with a successful surgery and are now planning a PET scan for next week with a surgery tenatively scheduled a few days later. They are not seeing any other sign of cancer in his body although the size of the tumor in his kidney is 9.68 cm with a 7 cm cyst around it. They will be removing his adrenal gland as well. What does this all mean. Is he curable? Will removing the tumors rid his body? What do I need to prepare for? I am devastated and desperately looking for answers.

Wow! Having just been through a partial nephrectomy at age 30 for Renal Cell Carcinoma, this is scary!  I am so sorry for your dad!  I would say if they get all of the tumor out/removal of kidney, he would have a much better chance.  I haven't heard of it going to the brain like that....I hope they got all of that out!  Please keep me posted on his recovery.  Try to stay positive...I know that's easier said then done, but that is what he needs.  We also need to make sure people are aware of this cancer.  It's almost silent until it is too late!  i was fortunate to have a CT done that picked my tumor up!  God has lead me through this and I feel I have come out of this a better person!  I know I must treasure everyday.  Having a husband and 3 children, I look at them differently now:)  They are my rock!

 Fancymom

Needsupport -

 I 2d Fancymom's comments & add that there is much to be thankful for these days for those who suffer from mRCC.  W/ the brain tumor and the kidney tomor removed, hopefully your father will be NED (no evidence of disease) and remain so.  If not, there are treatments available.  And, he may want to work w/ his oncologist, hopefully a kidney specialist, to go on an adjuvant trial in the hope that it would prevent an further metastisis.

If you go to the discussion at kidney-onc@listserv.acor.org, you will find a group of caring, knowledgable people who will readily respond to the numerous Qs & issues which will come your way in dealing w/ this "monster".  Good luck & Godspeed.