On 5/6/2008
allie1 wrote:
Hello,
My 27 yr old daughter has been diagnosed with a mass in one of her kidneys. She was sent by her primary care nurse to a Neprologist, however that Dr. was too busy to see her for a month, so we were then referred to a Urologist who is a surgeon. He has advised her to have a biopsy. We then went to get a second opinion to another Urologists who also turned out to be a surgeon. He wants to take the kidney out. I feel that we have made a mistake going to a surgeon. I feel that a diagnosis from a cancer specialist should first give their opinion then we find a surgeon if necessary.
It seems that if you do not advocate for yourself you could end up making the wrong decisions concerning your life. Wouldn't an oncologist or a neprologist be the first step instead of these surgury happy Dr'.s ? I am not in denial, or avoiding what 'may' be the inevitable but shouldn't this be approached differently? I would so much appreciate some advice. I also have asked about nutrition, excercise and these two Dr's do not believe that they help at all. Please give me your opinion's. Thank you, allie 1
Hi allie 1,
I had a mass on my left kidney that was discovered by an ultrsound. My primary care Dr. was concerned about my gall bladder. He sent me to an oncologist, who immediately ordered a biopsy and discovered it to be kidney cancer. We then did a full body cat scan to see if the cancer had spread, and it had, to my lungs. In his opinion, it wasn't helpful, and may be harmful, to remove the kidney. Surgery can perhaps cause the cancer to spread. If it hadn't already spread, then surgery would have been the first line of defense.
It sounds like you haven't done the biopsy yet. It may not be cancer. I think it is important to find out what you are dealing with and if cancer, what kind and has it spread. Then discuss options such as surgery. You are basically right in my opinion. I have been working with the different kidney cancer medications that have been approved in the last two years, and although it has not been fun, I'm still here.
Good luck to your daughter,
Richard