My 68-year-old mother had a cancerous kidney removed in 1995 and was given a clean bill of health at her 5-year checkup. This last Sunday she went to the emergency room and was diagnosed with recurring kidney cancer. Is this the same as recurring renal cell cancer?
She has multiple tumors, including baseball and orange size, that are constricting the blood flow to her heart and pressing against her trachea causing uncontrollable coughing.
I've been on the computer (almost non-stop) since the diagnosis and I'm trying to learn as much as I possible can. The doctor didn't indicate how much time he thought she might have left, but did say he was hoping it was non-hodkins lymphoma or lung cancer as those are easier to treat. He plans to start her on Sutent and hopes this will bring more comfort to the trachea area.
I've read enough on the internet to know that this diagnosis is bleak, at best. I'm reaching out here hoping that some of you will be able to help me with understanding this cancer and help me with questions I should be asking the oncologist.
Thanking you in advance,
Karen Petree