Stage 3 renal cell carcinoma - newly diagnosed and have some questions.

Hi Nick

I'm sorry to see you've had to come back to the community because your dad has been diagnosed with kidney cancer.

I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to give you any advice, as I had a different type of cancer, but I noticed that your post had gone unanswered. By replying to you it will bump your post back to the top of the page where it'll be more easily seen.

I'm also tagging this group's Community Champion buttercup01 into my reply to you as I'm sure she'll be able to give you information and support.

x

Hi , welcome again to the community and also to the kidney cancer group. I'm sorry I didn't see your post originally and thanks to @latchbrookforanswering it.

I also have renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and mine's stage 4. Personally, I don't think age should come into whether someone gets surgery/ treatment or not.I'm 63 but had my kidney out 15 years ago.

Have the doctors said  why they're not going to treat your dad? There are drug treatments available which would at least stop his tumour from getting larger and mets developing. Many of us are on these, the most common being Pazopanib ( Votrient) They do have side effects and tho these can be mostly dealt with by other meds they can be unpleasant tbh.

 It seems to me they could at least monitor him via CT scans every 3 months or so.

You might want to consider asking PALS about this. 

It's definitely a strange situation which I feel - like you - needs following up.

Let us know how you get on. You have enough going on with your children!

Latchbrook - thank you so much, very thoughtful of you!

Thank you Buttercup01 - so grateful for your advice. I have made a note of the questions and will call the clinical nurse today. I will be asking for a 2'nd opinion but unsure if I do that through her/hospital or GP.

I think the lack of ongoing monitoring is what concerned me the most. 

Nick,

I think you should decide with your dad what should be done. as long as you remember the risks of anaesthetic and its risks I would do what you and your dad decide. IF the doctors say no need to have it out ask why? What if it starts to metastasise and at stage 3 I am surprised they are not moving fast to get it out as it is not like an an Open Nephrectomy it can be done laparoscopically. Get a 2nd and 3rd opinion. 

Hi Nick

I'd also be really curious as to why he's been sent home with nothing. He wouldn't have been if he was 60 that's for sure.

Were you with him for the appointment or are you getting information from him?

Hi Jo300, He was told it's down to his age. I am suspicious it's down to resources and money and hence I'm keen on a 2'nd opinion. They have explained it's not the actual operation that worries them (at the time) as they said gone are the days of people dying on the operating table, it's more in the months afterwards and the chance of a heart attach or stroke following surgery. I can only conclude that they think the op will be too taxing on his 'elderly' body and with the balance of things are not keen to do this.

Hi , any news re 2nd opinion?

Sue

I can see that making sense and to be honest no treatment is without side effects, so even if that were offered it’s still a consideration. I’ve see in this group though people having treatment without or prior to surgery, the one I’m on Pazopanib, being one of them, so there could be options if he wants to push it. I can see quality of life being a major consideration for him at his age, particularly as he is still so active. 

Hi Sue - not as yet no but I will report back. Thanks for the interest.