Kidney Cancer Information

Question: Kidney Cancer? Not tumors and it is just plain old cancer but we were wondering. One of my family members have had lesions on the spine, brain stem, kidneys, and one on the lung. They told him that he had weeks or years to live if he does radiation. b/c it was kidney cancer. I would like to know everything about this cancer. if you have information plz reply. PS- he is a crucial part of our family and we are serious to finding a way to help him to our abilities.

Answer: kidney cancer once spread to other organs is INCURABLE AND INOPERABLE. NO treatment is available for kidney cancer as it doesn't respond to traditional chemo methods. i dont understand why you have written no tumours??? Cancer is tumours. (a lesion is a small tumor) My mum was diagnosed last may with renal cell carcinoma or kidney cancer. At first thought they where going to remove the kidney however after a ct scan it had already spread to her liver and lung. When first diagnosed the kidney tumor was 5cm, the liver had 3 tumors around 3cm each and mum had 'numerous' spots on the lungs. When re scanned 6 weeks later the prognosis was very bad. The kidney had no normal tissue left it was all cancer, one of the liver tumors grew to OVER 12cm and the spots on the lungs had doubled and multiplied. It was very aggressive, they did try a drug called sutent but it was a waste of time and only made Mum sicker.... the cancer had spread to far by this stage. Mum pasted away Sept 7 last year after only a 4 month battle aged 60. She had no symptoms and lead a healthy active life. Your family members cancer is definitely incurable i am sorry to say i just hope it isn't as aggressive as my mums was. If you need more info contact me thru email. x

Question: Would like to know who is considered the top doctor and hospital/treatment center for kidney cancer in the US? Just diagnosed with kidney cancer and I am trying to seek and obtain information about the best doctors and hospitals/treatment centers that are available in the U.S.?

Answer: Mayo clinic in minnasota,and another state I cant remember .Look it up onputer.

Question: kidney cancer support group? how do I contact them? I had one kidney removed and need more information on what the prognosis for my remaning kidney is.

Answer: Join the ACOR Listserv for Kidney cancer support group: ACOR: The Kidney Cancer Online Support Group http://listserv.acor.org/archives/kidney-onc.html

Question: Kidney Cancer (renal cancer) question? My Grandmother has just been diagnosed with this cancer and by the time they found out she had it it has spread to her vertebrae and both lungs. They say her prognosis is very poor. She is in constant pain in the hospital to the point where my mom can't even be with her. My question here is can this cancer still be destroyed even though it has spread to all these different areas? i've searched all over the internet and read a multitude of different articles on this particular cancer, but couldn't find what I just specified about it. The tumor in her kidney is so big it has invaded the lymph nodes as well. I never really got to know my grandmother or get close with her, but I hate seeing my mother suffer. If you could give me a link of the information or have personal knowledge about this I would be extremely grateful. So the questions are: Is it possible to beat the cancer when it has progressed thus far; if so what are the chances of survival if she can; and if you have any links on this sort of information i can examine. I'm so sick of cancer...

Answer: Once the cancer has spread beyond it's initial site, the prognosis (outcome) is usually poor. The goal now should be to make her remaining time as comfortable as possible. She should not be in severe pain and someone needs to intervene on her behalf to request that her pain medication be re-evaluated and increased. You also need to get Hospice Care involved because they are a wonderful resource, maintaining contact with your grandmother's doctor to adjust pain medications and any other treatments that are necessary to keep her comfortable and in her home for however long she wishes. Someone needs to be talking with your grandmother about her wishes before she becomes unable to make decisions for herself. She also needs to have a living will and a durable power of attorney for healthcare signed quickly - the hospital social worker can help her with these things right now. Comfort is now the goal. By not visiting, your grandmother probably feels like she has been abandoned by her daughter - she needs the know that her family still cares - everyone should be visiting so that no one has any regrets.

Question: Why are kidney recipients at higher risk for diabetes, cancer and bone disease? I can't seem to find this information anywhere...Thanks for the answers!

Answer: its not he kidney they recieve per sey its the immuno suppressive drugs they have to take for the rest of thier lives to prevent rejection. most of them are cortical steriods they jack up your blood sugar they suppress the tumor lysing action of your white blood cells they also tend to cause some hypocalcemia (low calcium) and then your body leaches the calcium it needs from bones

Question: Please help! Question about early stages of kidney cancer? My dad had a cat scan for something completely unrelated and they found some suspicious looking spots on his kidneys. Today he went to the doctor, and although the doctor couldn't be 100% sure, he thinks it is cancer. He is going in for surgery some time in the next few days to get it removed. What are the chances of my Dad getting through this? If he does have cancer, he still is in the very early stages and hasn't felt any symptoms. I'm just trying to keep positive about this, as my parents seem to be very positive that everything will be ok. Although I can't stop thinking about this. I'm only 20 years old and as much as I'm trying to keep positive about this, I can't help but feel distraught. I don't know anything about this stuff so I'm just looking for any information/anything that might help me feel better. Thanks!

Answer: first off...i know it's hard but PLEASE try and stay calm since you don't have a definitive diagnosis of cancer yet. i know it's hard but you have to take it one step at a time. sounds like they are going to do a biopsy of the spots first to see if they even are cancerous. i have a family member with kidney cancer (actually called renal cell carcinoma). it is not known as one of the more 'deadly' cancers like pancreatic/brain cancer and like many other cancers, it can be supressed if caught in time. most people don't feel any 'symptoms' of cancer in the early stages which is why it is so deadly...cancer is basically your bodies own cells multiplying out of control and only cause symptoms when they become visible or start causing symptoms (eg a lung tumor causing breathing problems) because they have grown so big. your dad is very lucky that they saw the spots early on. by the time they caught my uncles cancer, it had already spread throughout the kidney and he needed to have one removed. fortunately with the kidneys, you have two just in case one fails (not trying to freak you out). the main thing is that he gets treated in time (renal cell cancer is treated with radiation and chemotherapy) and the spots removed if they are in fact cancerous. also important to know is that alot of renal cell cancers dont respond to traditional chemo and a kind of chemo called "Interleukin" has to be used (it basically beefs up your white blood cells to kill the cancer on its own. the most common are Sutent and Nexavar). i will give you a link to a site that will give you more info. the second most important thing is that if he does get treated for cancer, that he continue to go back for screening very frequently. the problem with renal cell cancer is that it can easily metastasize (spread) to other body parts, almost always the lungs, leading to renal cell cancer in the lung (this happened to my uncle and to many rcc patients). remember...he has no diagnosis just yet so try and keep calm and go to this website. although it is not a 'high profile' cancer like breast cancer, rcc is getting more and more support and recognition and new treatments are coming out every year. hang in there!!!

Question: My cat has a kidney/liver infection, information, please? My 13 year old cat, Flower, was crying night before last...she does that big MEOW when she wants to go outside, but I took her into my bed because she seemed different. Yesterday, she didn't want to eat (she's the first one to go to the kitty food) she's the fattest out of our six kitties. Anyway, I took her to the vet today, she has a severe kidney infection and has hepatitis because of the kidney infection. She is on Ciproflaxin IV and the vet tech said she is doing better tonight. I love this girl so much, he said that we still have to rule out cancer. Do you have any experience with this? I don't want Flower to suffer, she is such a special cat...any words of advice are greatly appreciated, please and thank you so much. I know she will be fine, but I have to wait until Saturday for the vet's diagnosis. I can't sleep, it's just killin' me, I love her so much, she is the best cat you've ever known.

Answer: My 10 year old cat Sydney had kidney disease- i don't know if thats the same as a kidney infection but the vet gave him six months to live if I gave him treatment. I loved him so much and didnt want him to die so I went ahead with the prescribed treatment of subcutaneous fluids under his skin twice a day. This kept him alive for four months until one night his kidneys failed and he died in my arms. I have since regretted that the last few months of knowing Sydney were ruined by constantly sticking him with needles. He had become afraid at the sight of me out of fear that I'd "hurt" him again. If I could go back I would have chose to put him to sleep peacefully instead of having him suffer those last months.

Question: Cat Cancer? Do you have any information or experience? ? My 8 year old spayed LHD female cat has began to show symptoms of a severe illness starting a few weeks ago. It started with her limping, and over the next two days it became to the point where she was collapsing. I brought her to the vet. They didn't seem to see anything wrong. Gave her a shot of cortisone and sent her home. 2 days later the injection wore off and she was back to limping. I brought her back to the vet. They gave her another exam. Did an xray on her hind legs and didn't see any issues. They gave her some type of non-steroidal anti inflammatory drug. This mad her capable of walking but after about 4 days she stopped cleaning herself, lost her appetite, and seemed to be in a zombie like trance. I brought her back to the vet. they finally did blood work and more xrays. Her blood work showed alarmingly high white blood cell count and extremly anemic low red blood cell count. the xrays did not show any obvious masses but something appeared unusual but not obvious in her stomach. They tested her for kidney and liver failure and FIV AND FELV she was negative for all. The vet is leaning towards cancer. Do you have any experience with cancer? either in the bones or the stomach most likely or do my cats symptoms sound familiar to you? please share any information. THANK YOU!<3 also they gave her fluid IV and an injection of steroids and antibiotics today and she has become more alert and is eating and grooming herself. they also prescribed antibiotics and steroids that are pills to giver her everyday. i asked my vet to test her for lyme disease because that was my first thought and she said that it is extremely rare in cats and is more of a dog disease.

Answer: increased WBC at all we automatically begin to think infection or cancer and unfortunately due to her age i would lean towards cancer the next step would be mri and or cat scan if this is not applicable then i would say stick with the NSAIDS, pred (steroid), the antibiotics are a good idea just incase it is infectious also did they check for FIP? normally you see it on xray as the body fills with fluid but there is a dry form my advise continue with the regimen your doctor prescribed also you may want to look into getting her onto a fatty acid if not already keep her comfortable even with NSAID use try and wean her off the pred but most need to stay on it monitor her eating and drinking keep her warm try to keep her in the house more feed a high quality diet they even have a cancer diet by hills god bless and i wish you and your kitty the best if you have the money and the resources in your area seek an mri also check with your vet to see if acupuncture can help i am a firm believer of it as i have seen it help many pets but some vets are not as open minded

Question: Can being diabetic, unable to urinate, kidney problem lead to having a tumor on lung and a biopsy performed? My cousin was admitted to hospital because he was unable to urinate. He is diabetic and has had kidney problems. The doctors found a tumor on his lung and performed a biopsy. My cousin's Father said the doctor said this (tumor) may be caused by his kidney problem. Does this sound correct? Or does this sound like lung cancer? I am very worried. It will take days for the test result. Any information on this topic? I would appreciate it.

Answer: no.

Question: Is there anyway to correct mis-information on the internet? The internet has become the source of information for the world. I recently received an email regarding cancer research stating that Erma Bombeck had died after losing a long battle with cancer. Because I have PKD in my family, I remember that she died of PKD. But this is just one case. I did a search and found most references were to death by cancer and only a few even mentioned Kidney disease. There must be mountains of mis-information out there! Is there a solution?

Answer: No. there are as many sources as there are people. The only thing to do is just what you did, don't take one source as gospel - check it out.

Question: How do i cope with Canine Breast Cancer? My beloved 7+yrs old Ame Cocker Spaniel was diagnosed with breast cancer yesterday. She is due for an operation this Thursday to remove a lump which is slightly smaller than a golf ball and if not at risk to also be spayed in the process. I am in the process of changing her homemade diet of brown rice,meat,vegs and fruits after reading up canine cancer information online. Her blood test and X-Ray shows that her kidneys, liver and everything else is in good shape except a little low red blood cell count which she's on iron tablets for I need some advice on how to cope or with diets and such if anyone has had or have dogs with cancer. I feel really lost and extremely sad as she is very much a part of our family and we would like to give her the best quality of life that we possibly could Thank you all for the support and advice, she's due for the operation in less than 24 hours and i'm really nervous. She does not show any signs of sickness neither is she weak in fact she gave me her favourite toy to play with this morning as i was leaving..and we played for a little while. I think i might leave the toy with her so she'll have something familiar to wake up to after the surgery. I hope to be back here with good news of her recovery

Answer: The diet you have her on sounds good except for the fruit. You might want to add some additional red meat or liver tablets until her low RBC normalizes. I would not be doing a lot of diet changes right now because you want your dog to be eating regularly while she is ill. I'd ask her vet about any potential diet changes. Humans try lots of crazy diets thinking this will help cure cancer. It won't. Hopefully the surgery will give your dog a cure and you can enjoy her as part of your family for many years. Here is one diet for dogs with cancer that I found. 1lb ground beef (fat drained) 1/3 cup cooked rice 1/3 cup liver 4.5 Tablespoon Vegetable oil (my choice: Safflower/Olive oil mixture) 9 grams fish oil (I just handed Salmon Oil capsules to the dog as a treat: my understanding is the more the merrier) 1/3 teaspoon salt substitute 6.2 grams calcium 1 multivitamin (Theragram M is often recommended) I strongly disagree with this choice of a multiple vitamin unless the dog weighed 100lbs or more. The human dose of Theragram M is way too strong for a small dog. Get an appropriate canine multivitamin and follow the dosing instructions by weight carefully. Here is the canine vitamin that I gave my dogs. http://www.bronsonvitamins.com/app/search/detail.htm?&item_id=301

Question: Information Please? My 14 yr.old sister Jamie has Kidney Cancer that has spread to her Lungs and she has been given a 30% survival rate.This is a very terrible time for my parents, they are and older couple and my sister's illness has been hard on their health. My question is, "Does anyone know anywhere or anyone where my my mom and dad can get a free medical check-up or eye check-up?" My mom and dad don't have money to go to the doctor, they are a very low income family with no insurance. My little sister Jamie is currently on medcaid which has been helping her but sometimes give her trouble. Please, if anybody has info. that can help them, let me know. Jamie is currently being treated at M.D. Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston,Tx. This is not fake or a joke, but if do need more info. on Jamie please let me know.Jamie is set to have a biopsy on Tuesday and tests on Monday to see how aggressive the cancer is and the type,They really need a lot of help and prayers. Thank You.

Answer: If you are at MD Anderson the social workers in (pediatric) oncology should be able to help or advise your parents with this issue. MD Anderson: Social Services http://www.mdanderson.org/departments/socialwork/ You can also find information from the American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MIT/mit_3.asp?sitearea=MIT If your parents are older they may qualify for many state and federal programs. They should meet with the hospital social workers for more guidance. Good luck.

Question: Second opinion needed. How do we go about getting one? Mom diagnosed with terminal cancer.? I have electronic copy of reports. Doctors at current hospital refuse to treat her for fear that treatment will cause her already reduced functioning kidneys to fail. They have recommended Hospice care. Tumor is the size of a basketball. Any support/information regarding Hospice, second opinion, etc is greatly appreciated. They feel that surgery is not an option because they are not confident that they can control bleeding and fear that she will hemorrhage to death. additional info...*Yes, Mom wants to fight and she very much wants a second opinion. *Cytology consult indicates a diagnosis of "MISC, ABDOMEN, FNA (C07-448): MALIGNANT MELANOMA" My mom is lucid. She is in a lot of pain even with significant amounts of pain medication. The tumor is the size of a basketball and still growing. She is running out of space in her abdominal cavity. She is extremely uncomfortable. Her stomach is as large as someone carrying twins or triplets. She has difficulty turning over in the bed because her stomach is so large. The cancer seems to be contained by drawing blood from a large area inside. The doctors said that the tumor is not a solid mass, but more like jello. She is able to do very little without assistance. She requires oxygen and she isn't eating. She is on an IV. Mom is currently at UVa. They are planning to discharge her tomorrow.

Answer: First, what does your mother want to do? Does she want to fight this disease? If she does than go ahead with a second opinon. Usually the oncologist will cooperate. You need to ask for copies of all her medical records, including recent CT/PET scan from both the hospital and her oncologist. Explain that you want a second opinion. Usually this information can be placed on a CD and sent to another doctor for a review (so your Mom won't need to even go . The National Cancer Institute has about 60 or more designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. You can contact them seeking a second opinion: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.html Seond Opinon Institutions http://www.blochcancer.org/articles/xtrnew.asp You do not say what type of cancer that your mother has or if the tumor has metastasized. Age and overall health may factor into why the doctors recommend hospice for her. Keep in mind that your mother can still receive palliative care when in hospice and if her overall health improves than the doctors might reconsider treatment. Stay strong and best wishes during this difficult period.

Question: Is Usama Bin Laden still a threat to United States? I assume if America had deployed 100,000s troops, one 6" 5', dieing with Kidney failure and Cancer man should have been caught by now. We are giving an Informer $25,000,000, why hasn't any one come up with a single piece of information about Usama Bin Laden OR is it like we are so much sure that Sir Usama Bin Laden is dead. Is Sir George W Bush doing everything to catch this soldier?

Answer: Yes he is still a threat.

Question: How do wills and trusts work? A little information is in line here: Bob’s mother passed away this last September after a short battle with brain, lung, kidney, and liver cancer. She was married 8 years ago to her third husband, Jim. Her father passed away 10 years ago and her mother, 3 years ago leaving their estate to her, a good portion of it tied into a trust that she could not access until she reached a certain age (we are not sure what age). Bob and Tammy (my sis-in-law) have never seen a will from his mother or his grandparents since her passing. Jim tells us that the will is in a ’trust at the bank.’ Now, I always thought that the will is the legal document that tells you WHAT goes into the trust. He also informed us that he took Judy’s funds, added to his own, invested it and when he passes away it will be divided between his three children and Judy’s two. He has also moved in with a new girlfriend already (that happened only 3 months after Judy died) , and as fast as he moves with the ladies, will probably be married here within the next few months. I don’t really want to sound greedy, because I really am not, but where, I ask, does that leave Bob and Tammy with any inheritance that should have been rightfully theirs through their mother and grandparents? I do know that they are both fit to be tied that Jim is spending their mother’s money on another woman. Do they have any legal recourse here? I am really concerned that what is rightfully theirs is being taken right out form under them. And as much as I love Bob and Tammy, they are both so naïve and ignorant about such matters, that they would never know what is going on. And Jim knows this and also counts on the fact that they are both so afraid to offend that they will not speak up about it. Well, I am not, obviously, and so I invited him over tomorrow, along with Tammy and her husband, Terry, to find out what is up. I am getting the vibe from him, that he is somewhat concerned about it all… Any advice here???

Answer: Good luck with this i found some stuff here. AARP has some retirement information and estate planning stuff that might help you out! http://www.mtpalermo.com/httoc.htm

Question: Has Science Diet been linked to cancer or organ failure in dogs? I heard about this before the recalls, but cannot seem to find any websites that support this. I don't know what kind of cancer is was, liver or kidney failure, . . . etc. I don't know. But I used to feed it until a veterinarian informed us (my family and I) about the negative long term side effects. That was over five years ago and the vet died in a car accident. He never recommended any Hill's products and we are thankful he informed us about the company before it was too late for our 'Angel'. Problem is, I don't have anything to back it up. If he were still living I would be asking him. But he's not. Any information about Hill's Science Diet dog foods is welcome, but for the purpose of my question, please refrain from saying how great a food it is. I understand it can be, as I once fed it to my Golden for two years, but those are not answers I seek. I don't mean to be rude, I just want to find the information I am looking for (or any leads) and do not care to scroll around trying to find appropriate answers through the many, "I love Science Diet" answers. Again, I know it helps many dogs with many health issues, but that is not what I am looking for. Endless pleases and thank yous! Have a wonderful day!! If you can supply websites or other sources that would be great! I need to back myself up with legit sources. I go to a school where they feed their rescue animals Hill's Science Diet and I last week I informed my instructor (a lead veterinarian) of this. She doesn't believe me and I would like to prove it to her. Even if she does know and doesn't want to admit it, I can at least get the word out to my fellow technician students. Thanks:)

Answer: I don't know about *causing* cancer, but studies are showing that cutting out carbohydrates can help to *treat* cancer. Science Diet is a very high carbohydrate food. http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/ketones-and-ketosis/carbohydrates-are-addictive/#more-1720 http://dogaware.com/specific.html#cancer Last year my Rainbow was diagnosed with a splenic hemangiosarcoma and given a month to live. I immediately put her on a carb-free diet, she lived 4 months and was happy and active the whole time. When the time came to send her to the bridge the vet commented on what great shape she was in otherwise - she hadn't lost weight or muscle mass and her coat was healthy and shiny.