Extremely rare cancer diagnosis

Hi all,

I've been reading this forum religiously for the past few days trying desperately to find some answers, I'm sure many of you do the same at this pre-diagnosis stage.

Im here due to worries about my dad. He's 63, and is currently awaiting his urology appointment after an ultrasound scan showed an 8cm mass on his kidney. He's a really active, healthy man. Doesnt drink, doesn't smoke, but recently it just seems like he's had one health concern after another and I think it's taking its toll on him. 

He was referred for a scan after complaining of ankle swelling and pain. We've repeatedly put this down to him having had a full hip replacement very recently (Dec 2018). He's had a chest x-ray and this ultrasound on his kidney which has found the mass. 

He was called into see the GP after the ultrasound as they were concerned about the mass, understandably. During this appointment nothing was mentioned about the result of the chest x-ray, but he has been referred to urology to discuss next steps about this mass, we're assuming it's cancer.

I have so many questions that I am desperately seeking answers to! Nothing was mentioned at the GP app about the chest x-ray result so do you think we can rule out that they found anything on his lungs? (he has no lung cancer symptoms such as a cough etc). He also has no symptoms which could indicate it might have spread to any other organ (such as any liver type issues or neurological symptoms)

What can we expect from his initial urology consultation? Any advice or information would be massively appreciated. I've already lost one parent to cancer and it's unbearable to think we could have to go through this again. 

  • Hello moomoo88, 

    Welcome to our friendly forum and I hope you've been finding it useful and it has helped you get some information at a time when you need it the most. It is really hard to have to deal with this uncertainty as you are awaiting for a clear diagnosis. We have some information on our website about the different steps involved in getting diagnosed with kidney cancer which you can find here. I hope he won't have to wait too long for his urology appointment and hopefully others who have seen a urologist and been in a similar place before will be along shortly to share their experience with you. Feel free also to give our nurses a call on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and they may be able to tell you more about what to expect from this initial urology consultation. 

    If you want to have total peace of mind as to the results of the chest X-Ray, you could always give your surgery a call and double check that the x-ray has come back clear. I am sure they will be happy to let you know. 

    I am so sorry to hear you have already lost a parent to cancer and I sincerely hope everything turns out well for your dad. Do keep us updated if you get a moment on what you find out. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Just an update, we've had his consultation and the consultant confirmed it's highly likely to be RCC, however he was very positive that its treatable with surgery. He did an examination there and then which he confirmed was all clear and he pulled up the chest x-ray results which he was happy are clear too - all seems quite positive. He referred him for a CT scan which he's already had (NHS are so impressive most of the time) and now is just the waiting game to rule out whether it's spread before booking a surgery date to remove the offending kidney. He even said during the appointment that he's quite comfortable that it won't have spread based on my dads health and other examinations that he's carried out, not sure whether he would say this and get our hopes up if he had any doubt whatsoever!

     

    The experience with my mum was very different, palliative care was the only option as it was already so advanced, and they were just managing our expectations throughout her whole treatment that the prognosis isnt likely to be great, this time it feels so much more positive I just hope I'm not being wrongly optimistic!