RCC spread

It's been quite the roller coaster ride. Husband had L. Rad nephr.  in 11/10, and it came back in the liver and lungs in 2012. Sutent knocked out all in lungs but one spot just under them remained resistant. Had coil embolization to the diseased R. liver lobe in june 2012 and Yttrium-90 to the R. liver lobe in November, one treatment so far which has shrunk that tumor. Y-90 can be given in the 2 weeks off Sutent, which is great, and can be repeated. But, yesterday the scans found clear lungs but spread to mediastinum. So... Sutent works for lungs but isn't apparently helpful for this. Hubby is 70 and unlikely to qualify for Interleukin. Anyone have any thoughts or  experiences on what we might expect  for treatment course?

   Thanks!

my husband had RCC mets to mediastial lymph nodes with one large tumor between his lungs against his heart and pulmonary artery. told surgery not an option and standard radiation wouldn't work. we went to Phoenix in august and he had 5 treatments of cyberknife radiation. very different, works in the mid chest area, accurate, motion sensitive and very strong. his tumor is dying as shown on CT scans. the radiation oncologist says only scar tissue will remain. we are very grateful. worth looking into. Phoenix Cyberknife radiation and oncology center.

best of luck to you.

On Feb 04, 2013 6:19 AM mrbuck wrote:

my husband had RCC mets to mediastial lymph nodes with one large tumor between his lungs against his heart and pulmonary artery. told surgery not an option and standard radiation wouldn't work. we went to Phoenix in august and he had 5 treatments of cyberknife radiation. very different, works in the mid chest area, accurate, motion sensitive and very strong. his tumor is dying as shown on CT scans. the radiation oncologist says only scar tissue will remain. we are very grateful. worth looking into. Phoenix Cyberknife radiation and oncology center.

best of luck to you.

Dear Mrbuck,

Outstanding! I will ask our oncologist about that, pronto, because it seems that's the only other issue. The Tumor Board met at the end of the week and recommeded the Sutent be continued because the lungs are clear. They also said with exception of the single mediastinal node, that comparing the previous CTs, there is no spread anywhere else, regardless of what we assumed from reports, and that the liver tumor getting the Y-90 is indeed shrinking! Like I said, a roller coaster. But then, bet you already know that. I really appreciate your responding. BTW, how long did the chemo have to be interrupted? Is Sutent the chemo in your husband's case?

  Thanks, again!

  donsmrs

My husband was on sutent for 23 months then it stopped working. he then tried afinitor which while it kept the tumor from increasing caused very severe side effects and he had to be taken off. it was at that time that we investigated the stereotactic radiosurgery (cyberknife) and proceeded. we live in Canada and there are only 3 locations that have this equipment. we had to pay ourselves for Phoenix as the locations in Canada said they didn't have experience in radiating mid chest tumors.

at the time of the cyberknife radiation my husband was not on any drugs... he still is drug free as his mediastinal tumor was the one causing all the problems. some small lesions and a couple of small tumors are still in the area but not growing.

i don't think that it is necessary to stop the drug while having the radiation but that is determined by the radiation oncologist. i suggest that you talk to your oncologist and even if he is not too keen, investigate on your own. it worked for us and the tumor is dying. your case sounds much like ours.

keep me informed.

On Feb 05, 2013 1:41 AM mrbuck wrote:

My husband was on sutent for 23 months then it stopped working. he then tried afinitor which while it kept the tumor from increasing caused very severe side effects and he had to be taken off. it was at that time that we investigated the stereotactic radiosurgery (cyberknife) and proceeded. we live in Canada and there are only 3 locations that have this equipment. we had to pay ourselves for Phoenix as the locations in Canada said they didn't have experience in radiating mid chest tumors.

at the time of the cyberknife radiation my husband was not on any drugs... he still is drug free as his mediastinal tumor was the one causing all the problems. some small lesions and a couple of small tumors are still in the area but not growing.

i don't think that it is necessary to stop the drug while having the radiation but that is determined by the radiation oncologist. i suggest that you talk to your oncologist and even if he is not too keen, investigate on your own. it worked for us and the tumor is dying. your case sounds much like ours.

keep me informed.

 

Thank you! Will keep you posted! Greatly appreciate your response.