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Kidney Cancer

Meggie
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I had breast cancer over 2 years ago and had a lumpectomy and was clear on my last mammogram in March.

Then after another scan for something else in April I was found to have a small lesion in my left kidney which after a biopsy was shown to be cancer.  I am under Addenbrookes and first saw them at beginning of July and am booked in for a left kidney removal within 3 months of that visit.

I have also been told that from blood tests I need an iron infusion before the operation.  I am reasonably fit apart from having AF which is well controlled.

As I am just 77 I am quite worried about having a major operation and as it has been such a long wait am wondering if I'm doing the right thing still going through with it. 

Do many people of my age have this operation and cope ok afterwards?

Thanks for any reassurance you can give me about this.

Meggie

  • Hi Meggie,

    Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to the online community. It is good to see you have joined our kidney cancer forum. I do hope you are finding it supportive. My name is Ursula, and I’m one of the cancer information nurses, here on the Macmillan Support Line. 

     

    I am sorry to read about your diagnosis of kidney cancer and that you have been through a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment previously. It sounds like a difficult time and is understandable that you have questions around the treatment you have been offered.

    Surgery to remove the affected kidney containing the tumour is usually the first thing doctors consider and it is performed with an intention to cure if the cancer is at an early stage and has not spread. During the operation, the surgeon removes the whole kidney and some surrounding tissue.

    Removing a kidney is a big operation and is not suitable for everyone. Doctors may need to do tests to check you are well enough to cope with the surgery. From your enquiry it sounds as though you have been having tests and investigations and it is good to hear that you are reasonably fit and well apart from AF, which you say is well controlled. This should all have been carefully considered by the multidisciplinary team whilst planning your treatment.

    Most people can live a normal life with one kidney. It will be able to do the work of both kidneys. The surgeon can talk to you about this before you make a decision about having surgery. We have more information about making treatment decisions here.  There is no right or wrong decision, people make different choices for different reasons. The important thing is having the right information to help you make your decision. As you are feeling unsure right now, it would be helpful to speak with your specialist team. Asking questions and talking through your concerns can make this easier.

    It may also help to understand what to expect after kidney cancer surgery to help you prepare for any support you may need.

    I wonder if you might also benefit from giving our support line a call. As well as the information and links in this email, we often find we can speak in a bit more detail over the phone, giving you the opportunity to ask more questions if needed. Our team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to more support and information as appropriate. There is no right or wrong way to feel, but it is important to know that support is available

    Alongside professional support, some people find it can be helpful to connect with others in similar situations. You can do this here via our online community forums. Kidney Cancer UK also have a wide range of patient support available.

    I do hope you find this information helpful, but please do not hesitate to get back in touch with us if you need any further support. 

     

    Best wishes, 

    Ursula, 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.  

    Ref: UH/KS

     

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