Kidney cancer surgery - Cost/Info of Kidney removal (keyhole)

Hi Matt sorry I don't know the price of private surgery.

The level of risk is not always judged by the size of the tumour my tumour was 9.5 but consultant said it had been there for the past 2 maybe 3 years.Also they seem to be only able to tell you the type of cancer stage and grade once they have removed it and sent it to the lab for testing.

I did not have key hole surgery but I did have my operation within 3 days of diagnosis and I know I was very fortunate to have had my op so quickly as I have heard others have waited like you for 4 to 6 weeks. I think the first reaction is get this thing out of me NOW  for all who have a diagnosis of cancer and I am sorry I don't have the answers you are looking for but perhaps someone else on the site may have.

There is a lot of information on The James Whale Fund For Kidney Cancer site he himself had kidney cancer his tumour was the size of a football he did have private treatment but it is usually the same consultant who does the surgery in private health care as the one who does the op in NHS.

there is also a helpline where you can speak to someone who has had kidney cancer and of course the help line here

Scraton x 

Hi Matt,

I am awaiting surgery for a 9.5cm tumour and have been horrified by a 10 week wait in Gloucestershire from diagnosis. I have a friend who is very high up in Glos hospital and I have voiced my concerns to him. His response has been that because my tumour is slow growing, the wait does not really matter. I have also considered private surgery but he advised against. The cost is many thousands and the plus of going NHS is that the team who work on your case are specialists. So, I have a week and a half to go and its seemed like a ridiculous wait. Christmas and New Year has not helped but at the end of the day I guess we have to have faith that they know what they are doig. Its an anxious time and I wish you well. Its a hard place to be.

Keep in touch and all the best.

Gail

I was quoted 6.500 pounds by Bupa for full kidney removal which does not include consultation appointments.  I feel for you with the waiting. My mum had to wait 8 weeks for hers.

C x

Dear Matt,

We were quoted 12,000 for a private kidney removal. The tumour was 7 cm. In the end the surgeon moved the date forward so we did not need to go private but the removed tumour (5 weeks from diagnosis, 2 weeks after our meeting with the surgeon) was 12 cm and the cancer was just starting to come out. This will be due to the type of cancer which is aggressive, and every case is different, but given the time again I would have had the op as soon as possible.

You are entitled to a second opinion on the NHS which your doctor can arrange quickly if this option suits.

Good luck

Helen

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