Kidney Nephrectomy for 87 year old

Hi JBsquared 

I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community and, although I'm not a member of this group, I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list again.

Wishing you all the best with whatever you decide to do.

Hi, JBsquared, my husband had a radical nephrectomy in 2021. His cancer then spread to his bladder which was removed in 2023 & he was fitted with a ureterostomy (similar to a stoma) from his remaining kidney. His kidney function was fine, but then gradually declined. He now has metastases in his lungs, has had chemotherapy & is now having immunotherapy. He also gets frequent kidney infections which need to be treated with antibiotics. So quite a strain on his kidney. However, although his kidney function is poor, it is now fairly stable. The nephrologist is involved with medication decisions & his chemotherapy, immunotherapy & antibiotic doses are adjusted to take account of his kidney function. He drinks a lot of water & follows a “kidney- friendly” diet, plus has daily exercise. So he’s doing okay with one kidney, though he does get quite tired & needs to rest more, & there is dialysis as a reserve option, though so far that’s not been necessary (we hope it won’t become necessary because, although it’s a life-saver, he already has quite a lot of hospital visits!) He is 77 years old. Wishing you well.

I had my right kidney removed 8 years ago as it contained a 6cm tumour I had no spread or treatment but has recently metastasised to my lungs I am on Suninitib tablets which are working great, kidney function is ok as well according to my 6 weekly blood tests, blood pressure high though despite 4 different types of meds

Many thanks for your information - I mistakenly thought that once the kidney was removed all would be well, not realizing it can metastasized into other parts of the body years later.  I will have to view my options.

Thanks for the details of how your husband reacted to his radical nephrectomy, I think its amazing how he is coping.  As I mentioned in my reply to Removalizee, I was unaware how problems could metastasized later after nephrectomy.  I see he was about 72 when he had the op, I am currently 86 which is probably why my consultant says time is not with me. Am awaiting the outcome of a CT scan 4 days ago which will provide an update as to how the tumour is behaving.  Even if I survive the operation relatively unscathed, I am not sure if I could face the potential illnesses arising from metastasis.  It is such a difficult decision, isn't it.

My mum has recently been diagnosed with kidney cancer and she is 85 years old. They said that she is to frail to operate so having radiotherapy. It is such a trigger because my husband died of kidney cancer and he was just 53 years old. Sadly he was never diagnose and died suddenly.. only found out about the cancer after a post mortem. Good luck in your journey x

It wasn’t much of a decision for my husband: the tumour had started causing him some serious problems and, due to the it’s size, surgery was the only option recommended. I hope your consultant helps you with the decision- it is a tough one. 

Your reply has thrown up a point that, although my consultant says I am fit enough to undergo surgery, he never mentioned anything about radiotherapy being an option - so that needs chasing.  How is your mother coping with the radiotherapy and so sorry that kidney cancer has so impacted your family.

Thank you for your reply.. sorry my mum is having laser treatment, not radiotherapy. I got that wrong. Her cancer is on the lining and very small. Unfortunately my husband kidney cancer was large and in both kidneys. It was a saddle pulmonary blood clot which suddenly killed my husband. Apparently kidney cancer can make the blood sticky and thick so watch out for that. Best wishes and a big hug. Xx