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father "diagnosed"with stage 4 renal cancer

zb1990
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Hi guys,

just got back from the hospital with my father.

he suddenly got ill on Sunday and ending up on the a and e.

they diagnosed him with congestive heart failure and treated him for the build up of fluid.

now my dad had a ultra sound of the kidneys In April 2020. which showed a mass and they wanted to do a follow up ct.

 

we have had a horrible time with the nhs as the first ct scan appoint in May 2020 was xa cancelled due to the covid lock down.

 

the second scan was for February 2021 after around 50 phone calls to chase up. but as he had no symptoms we did not press as much as we should have.

the 2nd scan failed due a machine malfunction. with further covid issues and the omicron we were due for another ct end of this month.

 

the doctor in charge of him for the heart failure noted this and ordered a ct scan during his a and e visit.

we were told the mass is alot bigger and seems to have spread to the lungs and adrenal gland.

he still does not have any symptoms apart from the heart related stuff but the doctors expression and demenour was grim.

he has a app with the renal docs within 2 weeks and I am concerned they are just going to turn around and say we can't do anything. 

 

they have allowed my dad to come this far due to delayed diagnostic scan.

what options should i press for. I understand that surgery and chemo are probably out of the question due to the heart issues.

i am just lost and even though they they have not confirmed it as renal cancer i doubt it could be anything else with the masses they cn see in the lungs.

is there any other options for treatments as I refuse to just give up on him.

  • Offline

    Hello zb1990, 

    Your poor dad has certainly been through a lot recently and I am so sorry to hear that there were all these delays in his diagnosis and all these failed and cancelled scans. 

    I hope that the appointment in two weeks' time  with the renal specialist goes well. I am not sure what treatment options will be available to him but this is something you will be able to discuss in detail with the renal doctor. Make sure you write down any questions you may have when he meets the experts and don't hesitate to ask them what the treatment options might be at this stage. 

    If there is anything you would like to talk to our nurses about, feel free to give them a call on this number 0808 800 4040 - their line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm (but closed this bank holiday Monday).

    I will now let our other members who have been in a similar place come and say hello and share their experiences with you.  I hope that you find out soon what your options are and I am keeping everything crossed for your dad that they find the best possible treatment for him. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline

    Hello, my father has also been diagnosed with a 5cm kidney mass on his left side. An ultrasound confirmed this. 

    Out next step was a CT preformed today to see where the cancer is and if it has spread. 

    However, during this time he has had a stroke and a diagnosis of PRES. This I am hoping will not effect any treatments he is allowed to have.

    I started looking into private (pay as you go) treatments and came across a clinic in Manchester . It's an NHS facility also where referels can be made. However, your still then waiting for the necessary treatment. It's said to be one of the largest cancer centres in Europe with cutting edge technology and treatment.

    My family and I have discussed this option if there is going to be any complications with the NHS and potential delays due to underlying conditions and medication he takes. More of a second opinion approach from the consultants that do these kinds of things on a regular basis.

    I hope all goes well for you and I hope you recieve all the best treatment they can offer you. In todays times it is amazing what medical professionals can do with modern medicine and technology. So keep positive and hope for the best as outcome as that's all we can do. 

  • Offline in reply to Klh97

    i am very sorry for the diagnosis and i wish him well.

    my father had a opp with the consultant who was excellant. my father underwent laproscopic kidney removal and is currently recovering from the opp.

    the consultant told us that the spots on the lungs were barely visible and he would monitor those after the surgery.

    we are waiting a few weeks until the next opp where we get the results from the biopsy and will see the next steps.

     

    wish you guys all the best in your own journeys.

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