New to group

Hi Gozza64,that seems a long time to be monitoring it but as I’m new to kidney cancer maybe it isn’t. It’s my husband with KC he also had two large cystic tumour on his right kidney, together they measured 30cm, he had open surgery Oct last year, no pain before and not much after, in-fact he did brilliant. They wasn’t sure at the start if it was cancerous but it turned out to be, his was Papillary type 1, grade 2, stage pt2b, On his second CT he was told he didn’t have to have another CT for a year so I’m guessing that he’s ok. We don’t get much communication with our urologist. Just wanted to let you know if it’s a cyst and even if there’s cancer it may not be as bad as you’re thinking. Good luck xx 

Hi Gozza64,

Even if your kidney's not cancerous. you can live quite happily with only one  - some ppl are born with one in fact.

You will be monitored regularly post op to check for any secondaries, probably every 6:to 12 months to start off with.

Kidney cancer is a slow grower compared to other cancers n there are lots of drug treatments to deal with secondaries these days.

But ths all what ifs. Try n deal with things a day at a time. Sounds trite, but oh so true

Good luck for September 3rd Gozza64

Hi Gozza64

I had my right kidney removed a year ago. Like you I was fears an put on a brave face for the family. The operation was done key hole and I was discharged from hospital three days later. I had a little discomfort which was managed with paracetamol. Unfortunately I had a 7cm tumour which was outside the capsule and I have secondaries. Having your kidney removed and life afterwards is fine.   Try to remain positive in Few days you will be in the mend. Good luck. Rayboy 

Just to echo what Ray said, having your kidney out doesn’t cause any lasting problems. As the surgeon said, people donate kidneys and that wouldn’t be allowed if you couldn’t live perfectly well with one.

Hi Gozza64

Sorry you've found yourself here - but hopefully you'll get some reassurances too!

With regard to the secondaries - it's worth knowing that kidney cancer has a specific path (as do others) so looking for secondaries isn't a hunt in the dark. There are clear places - for example lungs and liver - that it moves to, so the chances of missing something are miniscule, because they know where to look. The other thing that makes me think the secondary fear could be allayed is the fact that they've been monitoring the cyst and are only now concerned that there could be a change. As kidney cancer is slow growing the fact that a change has only just been identified in the kidney itself would hopefully suggest that a spread of any sort would be highly unlikely.

Hopefully you'll have the kidney out soon and you'll be back to yourself in a matter of weeks.

Thank you . I’ve found this forum very helpful. I’m having the kidney removed next Tuesday and feel more settled about it at least for now.