Adrenal Cancer Stages

Question: i have my left kidney cancer. I heard that i may be removed the kidney and the adrenal. Why? I am scary? I have a tumor in my left kidney. The diameter is 4.6cm. It is stage T1b. I already had CATSCAN. I will have MRI, CHEST CT, and BONE SCAN. My doctor told me I will have surgery to remove the kidney and may be reomoved the adrenal gland too. I don't understand why the adrenal has to be cut if the cancer does not spread out. I would like to know what happens to my health if the adrenal gland is removed; how long the surgery last? When I will be recovery after the surgery? Does anyone have the same my sickness? Please help me. Thank you very much.

Answer: i think ur doc is justified in doing Radical Nephrectomy.While resecting the tumor , the part of normal tissue beyond the tumor is always taken because thsere is also spread at micro level.Removal of one kidney along with Adrenals will not influence much on your futur life.The surgery procedure is usuallly of one hr. Recoverey is also speedy.It is better to get operated earlier than before it invades adjacent organs and cause metastases.Consult ur Surgeon for further Questioning.

Question: With this type of cancer, about how long does one have left? An older woman has been told that she has stage 4 cancer that has spread to her lungs, liver, lymph nodes, adrenal glands, kidneys... no procedures will be done... Anyone have any educated guess of how much longer she has to live?

Answer: You did not mention what kind of cancer or where it started which may make a big difference in the prognosis. In any event stage IV is the most advanced of any type of cancer and she likely has six months at best.

Question: breast cancer,DCIS and i don't want to take tamoxifen,need help.? they found my cancer at the earliest stage, i have had a lumpectomy and now 33 treaments of radiation. i have no quality of life without my HRT called estertest at low does. but my doctor wants me on the the hormone blocker for 5 years.i would be a nut case with out HRT and feel that tamoxifen has to many side effects, has anyone said no to the 5 year tamoxifen?oh- i have had a full hysterectomy but now they say my adrenal glands produce estrogen and needs to be blocked.

Answer: I suggest you go to these sites if you haven't already: http://www.breastcancer.org http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk Both have a lot of information from professionals, as well as forums where you are much more likely to find someone who is or has been in your situation than you are here. Good luck.

Question: Does anyone know if INTERFERON injections, like Shanta biotect's SHANFERON work 4 Kidney cancer spread 2 Liver My mom, 70, has had Kidney Cancer 4 years ago and now after removal of 1 kidney and both Adrenals it has affected 30% of the Liver. Doctors have started INTERFERON injections 3 times a week for 2 months and hope to SHRIK the tumor by then, to be able to THEN consider operating it off, depending upon, of-course the general condition of my mom by then. Although they say at 70, operation will have a 50-50 risk, viz a viz, the post operative recovery. Does any one here have an HANDS-ON experience of using Interferon injections for self or relatives etc ? I wish to educate my self more and more at this stage about Interferon injections and also with ANY methord by which I can give cure to my ailing mother. Will ayurveda also help ? If yes who to contact and where ? Although our doctor has cautioned about the fact that SOME ayurvedics give steroids in disguised form. I have started wheat-grass powder mixed with warm water and honey also. Kindly advice, one & all. (I live in Lko,India

Answer: i have been giving myself interferon injections 3 times a week for a little over three years now. i take 3million international units three times a week. giving the shot is not that bad since most pharmacies can get you a pre-filled dial up pen. the side effects will vary from person to person. my doctor said that i would have flu-like symptoms for about a month and then i should be alright. what he forgot (lol) is that i would also have pain,fatigue,depression,neuropathy, memory problems,exhaustion,mood swings and failing eyesight. he also did not mention that i would be house bound if there was even the slightest remote chance that i could catch something because, i now have no immune system. but, i must say the alternative to not taking the shots is not to promising (death-for me). the outlook is not all bleak though because, the interferon has kept my cancer in check for three years now. i count this as a miracle.

Question: Pray for my family? For those of you who believe in God, pray.? My mom has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in her colon, lung, spine, bones and adrenal glands. She has been given 4 to 6 months to live. I had to break the news to my 93 year old grandmother, who has already lost her husband and 2 of ther other children to cancer. My mom has no money and no life insurance. My hubby's company is closing it's doors and he is almost 52 and will be looking for work again. Pray that we find a way to accept what is happening to mom, for my hubby to find a new job soon and for us to find a way to cover my mother's burial costs. Thanks in advance and God bless you all, even those of you who don't believe in God.

Answer: God I pray that you help this family through this hard time. Be a comfort to them. Surround them with Your love and help them to find the help that they need to get through this. I pray that You let them know clearly that grieving is not weakness and that it is OK to feel whatever they feel for as long as they need. I pray that you will put people in their lives that can be a comfort and offer practical help in their time of need. I pray that you help this mother feel peace and that you would take away or reduce any pain she may be feeling. I pray that work is found and that it provides more than enough finances for their life. Thanks God, Amen

Question: Can I get paid to take care of my mom? We live in Michigan and my mom has stage 4 breast cancer with mets to her brain, liver, adrenal glands, and bones. She has been getting worse and worse and she can't really do much anymore. She can barely dress herself. She is forgetting things also. I work full time and so does my dad. I would love to be able to care for her full time without pay but it's impossible. It's hard for me to do much after work beause I have hypersomnia and am wore out. Some days we don't even know how we are going to pay the bills. Somone else comming into the home is NOT an option. My mom will not have it. Please only answer if you know or have any good ideas on where to look. Thanks. With my line of work I couldn't work from home and I live in MICHIGAN there aren't any jobs here. Half of the state is on unemployment.

Answer: If your mother is on Medicare, Medicaid, SSI or other type US government social security program then you can apply to be her caregiver and you can get paid for doing so. There are rules for what you must do but basically this amounts to what you are already doing if you are responsible for more than 50% of your mom's care. Here is the info page to get you started. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/facts… If your mom might qualify then you should call your local social security office today and get started since approval might take a couple months and you both need help right now. If the local social security office says that you and your mom will eventually be approved for caregiver support then you should also call the office of your mom's US representative and ask for the aide who helps with social security issues. Explain the situation and ask if the representative can get your mom's case flagged for prompt attention and approval. This can speed things up considerably. good luck to you both

Question: Can someone who was told they could have a house get it legally? **History of father** My father was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer at the end of February. He had lesions on his lungs, brain, and adrenal glands. My sister and I quit our jobs to be his primary caregivers, switching off each day. He was with one of us 24/7. He was not of sound mind. **History of mother** Mother committed suicide in '03 because of a decade long battle with MS. She was a great woman, and waited until after I (the youngest) got married. Her & my father built their dream retirement home in a small town. She loved it there. I have so many good memories. ***History of the other woman*** Apparently cheated w/ father throughout marriage. (I just found out.) Gold digger, secretive, manipulative. My sister and I let her spend one night w/ dad and we went home. Found him next day in fetal position naked, and saying she poisoned him. -Story- He told everyone he was going to marry her. She says he said she gets the house. Is there any chance she can? Oh yeah.. We have POA, deed, and will. Would probably help to mention he died this month.

Answer: I am truly sorry for your loss hon. Losing your Mom that way is more than hard enough to live with, and now your Dad passing on must seem unbearable. And now you have to worry about this other woman. This disgusting excuse for a woman needs to be told in writing, from you, in your words, and from your attorney, to back off and leave the family alone through this hard time. If she continues to harass and bother you, mention that a law suit will be coming her way to make her stop permanently. I wish you and your family all the blessings in the world. Hang in there sweety. It will ease up in time.

Question: Is my mom in denial? My mom is 52. Diagnosed three years ago with stage 4 brest cancer with mets to her bones(shattered her spine), liver, adrenal glands. Two years later her brain. Throughout it all she has stayed so positive and everyone that meets her says she's remarkable and an inspiration. her doc. said that she has been "guessing" all along because my mom's condition is the worst she's ever seen. Her doc. is an oncologist of over 30 years. They only expected her to be around a few months and it's been a little over three years. Now, after all the chemo, radiation,surgeries,etc. nothing is working. Her doc. suggested Hospice and that's what we did. Well, now my mom isn't sure about it. She says she wants her doctor, she wants treatments, etc. Is she in denial or just sstaying positive? Like I said, from day one doctors and everyone for that matter has been surprised at how well she's done and how positive she's been through the whole thing. So, part of me thinks that she is going to continue to be remarkable and surprise everyone. (I'm hoping) I've accepted what will most likely happen and she says she has too. I'm just confused...is she in denial? She has had titanium rods in her spine, arm, and leg. You would never know she were sick. (other then being bald and not being able to move around the greatest). Thank you. I'm not ready to give up on her either. I'm telling her to get another opinion and that I'm behind her 100% on what she decides. She talks about wanting to do this stuff and then doesn't. I spend hours researching things and she doesn't do anything. I think she's confused.

Answer: whenever people get to the point in their lives what their life could come to an end earlier than expected they tend to go through the 5 stages of.....grief (I think its grief) I dont know if you've heard of this 1. Denial 2. Anger 3. Bargaining 4. Depression 5. Acceptance And its sounds to me like she's in the first stage. So if all of the sudden she gets angry then depressed you'll know why.

Question: Should we get a second opinion? My mom has stage 4 breast cancer. She was diagnosed in May 2005 after it spread to her bones,liver, and adrenal glands. It has since spread to her brain. She is now 52. Her doctor has never been to friendly and has made rude comments. I yelled at her and she has been nicer. We've heard she's the best one in our area. Well, lately she's been messing up on a lot of stuff. Forgetting to look into things for my mom. The cancer shattered part of the bone in her arm and she had to ask her doctor for 3 1/2 weeks before she did anything. That's just one of many things. She now has told my mom she really doesn't know what else to do. My mom said she doesn't want to give up and try more things and ever since her doc. has been not communicating with her like normal. It seems she's been dropping the ball lately. Should my mom get another opinion? I'D ONLY LIKE SERIOUS ANSWERS PLEASE.

Answer: ABSOLUTELY get a second opinion! and a third if need be. Your mom should feel comfortable with the dr she is going to, and know that the dr is doing all that he/she can for her. I wouldn't accept any less! My heart goes out to your mom. My very best to both of you.

Question: This LEGAL question about letting a patient die without her consent? I just placed an extremely long story_more than a question in itself_in the health section, but it was placed by yahoo in the pregnancy one. I've asked people to search for it there so they can help me. But it seems to me I should also be adding it here int he LEGAL one: An elderly person who suffers from respiratory and heart problems, but who very much wants to live, is not being treated properly by medical staff, including doctors. The story is extremely long but I'll tell it as brief as possible: She's in her early eighties, was misdiagnosed with cancer based simply on one X-ray and fact that she was long time smoker and looked thin and frail. Previously had been told couple years earlier she was suffering from emphysema. But doctors ignored this and went ahead with cancer diagnosis. Was basically sent home to die, without any other tests or further X-rays, etc. Months later while in emergency room_due to lack of proper meds and treatments_doctor going by wrong diagnosis to which I informed him about, went ahead and did complete brain scan and apparently scans of lungs as well. He came back with news of zero cancer in brain, and only scaring in the lungs, which everyone else should have known about by then and which we were told couple of years earlier. Now, and after many doctors repeating that she's at end stage of COPD, and suffering from CHF, attrial fibrillation, high blood pressure, apparent damage to adrenal glands_and who knows if anything else, for they only search for further things once I've either repeatedly asked or given the WHOLE LIST OF SYMPTOMS, whether new or old_she's been sent home once again earlier than she should have, even after having suffered much blood loss couple of hours before discharge from hospital. Doctors main concern is to inform me she's at end stage, that next time they will probably not intubate her, that social workers can send hospice home, and that if family wants her to live like this. I thoroughly explained IT IS NOT ONLY FAMILY who wants her to live IT IS HER as well. She insists on been taken to hospital when she knows her breathing is not right. At this very moment she's at home, having had a really bad night. Once again whole family is guessing as to what it could be. She was shaking for quite some time at midnight. It could well have been the 37 degrees temeperature outside and her insisting on not been covered for she's always hot even when others are freezing. Still I did cover her, gave her the 30mg dialtizem prescribed, plus the 10mg prednisone, plus the pepcid. And I also gave her the tiny dose of Xanax which is the .25 prescribed by physician three days ago. I know for a fact that if she were at hospital they would check out for all symptoms before deciding to give her xanax. I wouldn't have given it to her because her breathing has not been normalized since coming back. They keep sending her home in very poor condition. I could describe in perfect details why I know this is the case. They had also offered to send a nurse and a hospital bed and NOTHING has happened. I know that most people would say "Just suit them!" And the many suits to hospitals, doctors, etc. are very well deserved from what I have experienced in nearly a dozen hospitalizations in these last three years. I do know also that MEDICARE apparently refuses to pay for certain things. I have no idea which. I would very much need LEGAL counsel but cannot afford to spend days on the phone searching for lawyers whom would probably take the case once she IS DEAD. Is there a COURT I can go to to make sure this person is not left to die this way?

Answer: You seem to be very adament that this woman get the medical treatment she needs, and I commend you for that. We should never just assume that she's lead a full life, so let her go. She is being misdiagnosed because they dont want to put in the effort and her insurance just isnt good enough. Since you've been helping this woman and have been verbal enough to push them for more tests, Im gonna assume that you have already threatened medical malpractice suit. Not actually attempt it, but just threatened. They will do their best to get away with as much as possible. They want to get paid. So if you threaten them with 'contacting your attorney and will file a medical malpractice suit against the doc, the hospital, and anyone else involved in her care', you may get more results (even if you dont have an attorney). If you have already done that, then you may need to contact a personal injury lawyer and tell them from the beginning that it is concerning an emergency situation of medical malpractice. You need action now, not 6 weeks from now. You can also call the district attorneys office and ask what court you need to contact in order to enforce emergency medical procedures. Oh! I found a law that actually prohibits the actions they are taking. It is called EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment And Active Labor Act). Throw that in their face and see if they refuse to test her. Heres the link: http://library.findlaw.com/2001/Jan/1/12…