Renal cell carcinoma what should I expect?

I have been diagnosed recently with renal cell cancer to my right kidney; I will be having surgery to remove my right kidney asap; the doctors don't know if the tumor has connected to the liver, lower bowel, or even the colon until they get inside; also there is a thrombus that is going up the vena cava; at this time there is no mets to the lungs or brain; I am only 39 and recently like 2 weeks ago found out about the tumor 9.5cm by 10cm

Fortunatelly, there is a lot of new research and new agents available to treat RCC. Ask your doctor about:

*Sutent (or other tyrosine kinase inhibitors --TKI's for short)
*Avastin (to stop the blood vessels that feed the tumor)--may not be appropriate because of the thrombus though

Please consisder getting a second opinion on treatment at a cancer "Center of Excellence" or at a university if you haven't already. They may also be able to enroll you in clinical trials where you can get cutting-edge treatment (you can also search for RCC yourself at www.clinicaltrials.gov).

I've found that support groups online that discuss your individual cancer can be SO helpful medically and emotionally, too.

Good luck!

This is not a pleasant tumor, but hopefully you caught it early. Spead to lungs is common, but I have seen it melt with chemotherapy too. Liver and lymph nodes may be involved..Good luck.

sounds like the issues may be related to the renal carcinoma. this doesn't mean the cancer has spread, but maybe just has gotten big enough to cause the other organs some issues.

my dad had a renal carcinoma removed with his left kidney. he did great for four years.

I would suggest a follow up with chemotherapy medications to be SURE they got it all. If you can stay cancer free without the chemotherapy after removal for five years, they say you have it beat.

my dad lasted 4 years and came up with non-hodgkins lymphoma and while on the treatment for that, the other kidney was diagnosed with renal carcinoma....

ask about your options before surgery. i'd want the chemo just to be sure!

good luck to you...prayers are with you!

Renal cancer are different from usual cancers. Some people can live for many years even with stage 4. Once they take the kidney out, you will know if it is clear cell, papillary, sarcomatoid (the worst) or collecting duct type. Inteferon treatment after removal of the kidney will decrease the chance of the tumor coming back. Even if they find that the tumor has spread at time of surgery, the kidney should be removed. Two new targeted drugs were approved by FDA this year, sorafenib and sunitinib. These are ususally used only if the cancer has spread, however, if at surgery they find that due to the size of the tumor or its pathological features, theres a high chance of recurrence, then you can talk to your oncologist to put you on them on an "adjuvant" basis. Good luck