Cancer Research UK main site

Tumor has been graded

Hoop1
Offline

We have received biopsy report for a kidney tumor that has been graded pT3a. They have tested 2 lymph nodes and they were negative for cancer. Our initial diagnosis before the biopsy was that it had metastasised into the lungs however the report says that pM 'Not applicable, pM cannot be determined by samples received' and the doctor has said there's no evidence that it has spread to other organs. 

My question is does this report mean that it hasn't metastasised into the lungs? Or just that the tumor and lymph nodes were tested and the lungs nodes weren't? 

Just trying to understand whether the grading of the tumor is just for the tumor itself or whether it's the stage of the patient too. 

Thanks.

  • Hello Hoop1 and thanks for your post,

    Your doctors are probably the best people to go through your pathology with you as they have all your scans and results of your biopsies and can tell you more.

    The TNM grading is described on our website. T stands for how big the cancer is, N indicates whether lymph nodes are involved and M indicates whether the cancer has spread to another part of the body. You can also read about the stages of kidney cancer. There are 4 stages in kidney cancer.

    As your cancer was described as PT3a stage 3 is the same as one of the following:

    T1, N1, M0T2, N1, M0T3, any N, M0

    As your doctor has said that the tumour does not look like it has spread to another part of the body but I would confirm this with your doctors.

    If you would like to talk through any of this with one of the helpline nurses then you are welcome to give us a ring.

    Our number is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm.

    All the best,

    Catherine

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Catherine

    Thank you. We have spoken to the oncologist and he has been staged at stage 4 with mets to the lungs. He is currently in South Africa, however is originally from the UK. He left the UK at age 35. If we applied for a Returning Resident visa would he be eligible for immunotherapy treatment? The oncologist in SA has recommended first line TKIs as his tumor is now limited burden post nephrectomy and as immunotherapy is so expensive there, however all the research I have done is saying that a combination/ immunotherapy is a standard first line treatment. 

  • in reply to Hoop1

    Hello hoop1 and thank you for your further posting,

    I am sorry to learn it is a friend /relative who has been diagnosed and they are living in another country. This must be difficult.

    If they are thinking of returning to the UK to live here and will be registered with a GP then they may be entitled to NHS treatment, but it can be complicated. We have further information on our website which may be helpful.

    There are several things the doctors look at when deciding treatment such as the stage of the cancer and how well a person is, whether or not they have other health conditions. As in your friend's/relatives' situation, in the UK if possible, surgery is the main treatment to remove the kidney cancer, and if the risk of the cancer returning is high then immunotherapy may be offered.

    I hope this reply is useful. Do come back to us if you have any further questions,

    Take care,

    Jemma

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.