Husband and potential kidney cancer diagnosis

Hi all 

First time post to introduce me and our current situation.

After an emergency operation on a blocked urethra with a big kidney stone whilst on holiday, the scan showed a mass on one of hubby's kidneys. He had a stent fitted whilst we were away at the time of the operation, which we had followed up once home. 

The hospital repeated the scan here in the UK, and then a week later a scan with a dye (not sure of the name but was a type of CT Scan), he then had the stent removed by the urologist and a cystoscopy, and an in passing comment that we will need you back for a chest scan. Once he got home, I was querying why a chest scan. In the end we called the Urologist secretary to gain some clarification who gave us another number to call - which turned out to be the urology specialist nursing team. Who was extremely friendly and explained that my husband would be having surgery to remove the mass and a chest scan organised to check it was all okay.

We have not been told the mass is cancerous and are waiting for the appointment to see the consultant to come through for a review of the cystoscopy and dye CT Scan. But I am questioning why would they be wanting a chest scan if it wasn't cancer, as assume this is to check for metastases anywhere else. And why is he now under a specialist nursing team, who he can call anytime, again if it isn't cancer.

I'm pretty sure from the scan results they would have a pretty good idea, right? 

I suppose I'm looking to see if this is a normal pathway for kidney cancer or are we jumping the gun and going to a worse-case scenario? We have tried to push the nursing team but they have said they cannot disclose anything over the telephone and they will be calling with an appointment in the next few days with the urology cons.

Any insights are very welcome - thank you!

  • Hi Francopolo,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. I can understand your questions and wanting to know more about what is going on and what to expect. It is of course difficult to advise as really only those involved in the care can do this. It sounds like you are due to have an appointment with a specialist shortly, so hopefully it won't be long to wait for this and to get the answers you need.

    Ahead of that, make a note of any questions you have so that you can discuss everything you want to.

    In the meantime, if you feel you'd like to talk things through with someone, you are welcome to give our nurses a call. You can reach them on freephone 0808 800 4040 (Monday-Friday, 9-5).

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi Ben

    Thank you! We had the appointment and the cons confirmed kidney cancer. They have also now carried out a CT scan on his chest to see if there's any spread.

    He will have a full or partial nephrectomy after reviewing a more detailed kidney scan.

    We both feel relieved now and hope the chest CT scan doesn't show anything else.