My husband has renal cancer and has now been told there are further shadows with one large one 7cms on his hip bone. It is causing him a lot of pain. I understand this advanced stage of cancer can be treated to reduce symptoms but not cured?
I daren’t discuss my fears with him, but honestly speaking how many months/ years more is he likely to have left and what options for treatment would be best for him?
Hi Crispy55,
My name is Anne and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Support Line. I see you have already joined our carers only forum and the kidney cancer forum. I hope you have found them to be helpful and supportive.
I’m sorry to read that your husband has advanced renal cancer and understand this must be a difficult time for you both. Palliative treatment is often offered to help relieve symptoms such as pain and may help him to live longer and more comfortably.
Your husband will have a team of health professionals at the Hospital (called a multidisciplinary team) who will meet to discuss all his results and will work together to plan the treatment they feel is best for him. The treatment offered will depend on several factors, such as any treatments he may have had already and his general health. His team will be able to discuss this with you both in more detail but there is some general information here on possible treatment options.
It can feel frightening and overwhelming when someone has a diagnosis of advanced cancer. It’s understandable you would like to know more about his prognosis but may find it difficult to speak to him about this. It’s difficult for us to offer much information on his own individual situation as are not directly involved in his care and do not have access to his medical records. His Consultant or Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) may be best placed to have that chat with you. If your husband gives his consent, you may be able to speak to them by yourself about your fears.
There is lots of support out there for you both, but it can be difficult to know where to begin sometimes. Kidney Cancer UK run online support groups for patients and carers which may be of interest. You can also input your postcode into Cancer Care Map to see what support may be available locally.
It may also be helpful to speak to one of my colleagues on the Support Line. We are here every day from 8am until 8pm should you ever feel you might benefit from a chat.
Take care for now,
Anne - Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.
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