I'm sorry to hear you've been diagnosed with kidney cancer Philterence but I'm glad to hear the tumour can be removed.

Finding out you have cancer can bring about so many thoughts and feelings so it's completely understandable, and natural, for this to be at the forefront of your mind so if you can, try not to be too hard on yourself for not being able to pay full attention to your family at this moment in time.

I hope it helps to know that you are not alone as so many of our members have been in this position, so they will understand what you're going through, and hopefully it won't be long until some of them stop by to offer their support and advice.

You can find out more about your diagnosis on our website, but if you'd like to talk any of this through with one of our cancer nurses, you can do so on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m. They're very insightful and will do all they can to support you and address your worries and concerns.

For further information and advice, it may be worth getting in touch with Kidney Cancer UK.

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hello, I came here looking for someone who is recently diagnosed with kidney cancer as I am. My initial thoughts upon receiving my diagnosis was feeling numb. It was a surreal feeling, like someone talking about somebody else describing their cancer to me. Once the news sunk in about an hour later, I was shaking and full of nerves. I did not want to discuss my diagnosis with anyone, even to my own husband. I curled up and cried. The next day I went back to work, I work at Heathrow airport, and its always that busy that my mind must remain focus on the job. As you said, the nights are the most difficult. Yes, it is.  Sometimes I don't sleep at all. I fill my time by binge watching series on Netflix or Disney. Or do digital arts, Colour by Numbers, especially the Mystery ones (which slowly reveals what the art work will be). I have 5.7cm lesion, on my left kidney on the upper pole. I saw the 3D scan and its prominence on top of the kidney. T1b but a possibility of T3a due to a small curve that is not visible on the scan. Initial MDT meeting seems to think it is ccRCC. I keep searching for prognosis online. But my Oncologist said it is 5 years as a guideline. During my pre assessment this week, the nurse said all the kidney cancers she has seen, all made it through without recurrence in the last 5 years. Even with all the reassurances in the world, I have been preparing myself for the worst but hoping for the best. I have mentioned to a few people at work including my line manager, they all said that I have a very strong psychological strength to keep coming back to work when they thought I should be relaxing at home waiting for my surgery which is scheduled on 15th April. I said, work keeps me strong, because I dont have the time to think of what lies ahead. I hope you can find the strength to  fight and see this through and know  that you are not alone.  (A quote from our very own Princess of Wales). 

Hi , thanks for that . I came out of hospital yesterday after two days for radical removal so have done good but struggling mentally . Prognosis is strange because some professionals seem to be more positive than the stats and friends and family are positive too but that’s how I would be if the shoe were on the other foot . My pre op nurse was telling my wife that I had a good prognosis as my wife told her I was quite negative but I always felt she was trying to make my wife feel better because she was upset . I am waiting now for my large tumour to be graded but a T3A will be as good as it gets for me plus the grade on top . As my tumour was large I am expecting the grade to be high too . I’m not always negative . I was expected to be in hospital for five days but was out in two . I’m amazed your nurse told you there have been no reoccurrence for years in her patience. Maybe they have low grade tumours but hope it’s true.

I had a nephrectomy three years ago today for a stage three tumour on my right kidney which was also atrophic. My recovery was quite rapid and I'm now awaiting the results of my final post operative dean.

That last word should be scan.

Did you have any signs or symptoms before the diagnosis? I have been having pins and needles on both hands and had several blood test. In August last year, my GP was going through all the blood test that can be done for the possible symptoms. She sent me for B12 test, and lo and behold, I was 4 times over the normal limit. A repeat test was done after 3 months in November with still the high B12. That is when she sent me for ultrasound for the liver, my kidney cancer diagnosis is incidental finding. 

Blood in the urine was my only symptom . I wont know for six weeks regarding treatment as am having scan and biopsy results then . My guess is I will be on something as my grade I think will be a high grade , hence more aggresive. 

Consultant mentioned possible immunotherapy once the pathology result comes back. At this moment, I am at work trying to be brave. But of course it is right in my mind. I have a lot of questions in my mind, the reason I am in this forum. Trying to find some answers by chatting with people with experience to know what lies ahead for me. 

Ye im not looking forward to the results but will have to get used to it . Operation is the easy part I think . I felt good just a couple days after but it’s going to be with us always now in our heads . We will have to cope with it