Renal Carcenoma last year now lesion spotted on my Aorta ...

Hello

I have suffered from a long term auto immune disease with inflammatory arthritis and Bechets for the last 18 years which I have been having anti TNF treatments to help reduce the inflammation in my body. Last year I had to come off my anti TNF as I was rushed to hospital with sepsis and they found a large abscess (over 10cm) on my right kidney which was drained,  but it continued to cause me considerable pain so my Urologist decided to remove it.  During the operation the Urologist came across a renal carcenoma Grade 1 Stage 1 and I saw it as a blessing in disguise that he decided to operate.

My first body CT Scan was in February this year which I was told was clear.  My second CT scan was in September and during my routine CT follow up appointment on 19th October,  my Urologist told me a lesion had been found on the back of my descending Aorta.   They then looked back again at my first body CT scan in February and I was told they had missed the lesion then and that unfortunately it had doubled in size in the 7 months to September.

This last three weeks have been awful, I haven’t been able to sleep a wink waiting for an Urgent MRI and clinic appointment with a Cardio Thoracic Surgeon. My MRI is on Wednesday and my appointment with the Cardio Thoracic Surgeon is a week Tuesday. 

My allocated renal cancer nurse has been in contact and told me the plan following the MDT meeting is for the Cardio Thoracic Surgeon to remove the lesion. She said I should think of the lesion as metatastic and if the histology comes back as benign then that is a bonus! I am petrified what this all means and I am very upset as I am trying hard to be optimistic.

I have also struggled to find out information about lesions on the Aorta, so if anyone can shed some light on anything I have said here I would be very grateful.

I am sorry it’s such a long message and thank you for reading this.

 

  •  

    Hi Ann,

    I notice that this is your first time on the forum, so I want to wish you a very warm welcome to Cancer Chat.

    It was just as well that your urologist decided to operate and remove your abscess, or your renal carcinoma might never have been discovered.

    I am so sorry to hear about this latest lesion on your aorta. The fact that it was overlooked from your CT scan in February and, is now double the size it was then, must have made you very angry.

    I am glad to hear that you now have your appointment for the MRI and, also that you have an appointment the following week to see a cardio-thoracic surgeon. Lesions are often treated as if they are malignant until they are found to be benign. This saves a lot of wasted time, when time is of the essence in starting treatment.

    I hope that all goes well with your MRI on Wednesday. I shall be thinking of and praying for a good result. While you are waiting for your results try to keep yourself busy, to take your mind off the wait. This is a scary time for most of us, and it seems to pass so slowly while we are waiting. Also, try to avoid looking up information on the Internet, unless you are sticking to reputable sites. Many sites are poorly researched and can give incorrect information, which can frighten you further.

    Have you tried using the search engine on the blue banner at the top of this page? If you pop in your key words, for eg ‘lesion on aorta’ and click, this will bring up previous posts on the subject.

    Please stay in contact and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you, whenever you feel like talking.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hello Ann and welcome to our forum.

    I'm sorry to hear about your situation, it sounds like the last eighteen years have been anything but easy on you and it is completely understandable that you are worried and probably a bit frustrated now with all the waiting in between tests.

    Since you asked a question about lesions on the aorta I wondered if you found some information? As Jolamine rightly said, it is important to stay away from less than reputable sites on the internet. If you haven't found anything you can trust yet, maybe you should consider giving our cancer nurses a ring and see if they can help? Their phone number 0808 800 4040, which is free of charge if you are calling from the UK, is available Monday - Friday between 9 a.m - 5 p.m. 

    I hope this helps.

    Good luck for your MRI on Wednesday and for your appointment with the cardiothoracic surgeon for the week after, and if you find a moment, come back after that and give us an update. We'll be thinking of you.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Renata, Cancer Chat Moderator

     

  • Dear Jolamine,

     

    Thank you very much for your kind reply. I am guilty of searching the internet to find out as much iinformation as I can probably because I haven’t heard about cancer on the aorta before .....I have had far too much time to think about it all and it might be what I am reading is adding to my anxiety! 

    I will search on this site for any information as suggested.

    Thank you again.

     

  • Hello Renata,

    Thank you very much for welcoming me it feels nice to know others are out there at this awful time, my partner is wonderful I am a very lucky lady but I am trying not to burden him too much as he has two business to run but is always with me! Last year I had over 10 Hospital stays, three operations and well over 60 healthcare appointments and he was there for them all ....what a star! 

    It might be a good idea to speak with your cancer nurses thank you for sign posting them.

    Thanks

  • Hi Renata,

    Thank you for your advice I spoke with one of the very kind nurses who told me to stop googling and that a primary cancer of the aorta is rare. I’m trying to keep myself busy until my scan and consultant appointment but I still can’t stop worrying. I keep thinking I may not ever see my children marry or see my grandchildren it’s so all consuming! 

    Feeling so sad and scared ....

  • Oh Ann, you're most welcome and I'm glad to hear you made that call.

    I understand that sometimes things can be scary and the temptation of googling our symptoms is almost irresistible but try to stay away from 'Dr. Google', if you can. There is a post here from one of our members, DaveK, that illustrates quite well why we should refrain from doing so, have a look at this link.

    And whenever you feel in need of a chat, you will always find someone here to listen.

    Warm wishes,

    Renata, Cancer Chat Moderator

     

  • Just want to add my good wishes for tomorrow.  I am not at all knowledgeable about your medical problems but wanted you to know that people here will be thinking of you.  Hope your recuperation goes well and that there is good news after your MRI.