Kidney Cancer Life Expectancy

Question: Outlook for someone with stage IV kidney cancer? I was wondering if anyone knew the life expectancy of someone with Stage IV kidney cancer. My dad was diagnosed back in January, and he has a grapefruit sized tumor on his kidney, it has metastisized to his lungs (1 cm lesions), he has another small mass behind his esophagus, and it has spread to his brain. He just finished his second and last round of radiation on his entire brain, and he is about to start his 3rd round of chemo next week. The reason I am asking if anyone has any information about it is because he refuses to tell me or anyone else in my family. He doesnt want to worry anyone or make anyone feel sorry for him. I have read online that it has a low survival rate, something like 15% of people live 5 years, and some websites say people can live anywhere from 8 months to 14 months. I just need some information from someone who actually has been there or knows someone who has. Please, no trolls, this is a very serious question. Thank you guys. This is just a really hard thing for me. My dad and I werent close in the past, I mean, he and my mom divorced when I was really young and they always had a bad relationship and my mom literally moved me away for several years and he had no idea where I was. And once I got into my teens I was getting into all sorts of trouble and that just pushed us further apart. It really wasnt until the birth of my daughter 2 years ago that brought us closer. And it just feels like right when we're trying to repai our relationship it all goes to crap basically. Its just really hard.

Answer: I was diagnosed with RCC in June of 2000 and metstatic disease in Oct 2001. My mestastasis was localized to my lung though and mt relative good health,otherwise allowed me many avenues of treatement. I am still fighting. If your dad won't allow you to be in on his doctor client privelege, you must respect that. Be sure though that he asks his Oncologist about bone marrow replacement, Alpha interferon Interluekin II therapy, Cyberknife, RF Ablation, Angiogenesis inhibitors, Embolization, etc. Some of these will be ruled out because of the Brain tumor, but it might be a reason to try cyberknife.

Question: What's life expec having renal cell carcinoma stage 3-1 yr after having kidney removed & shoulder replaced? My 54yo dad has renal cell carcinoma. He's had his kidney removed (cancerous mass over 50% in 5/06 at stage 3) and his right shoulder replaced in 11/06 (from where cancer spread & broke bone) still has very minimal use of arm. Now the cancer has spread in his lung, around his liver & spleen and either effecting his pancreas or gall bladder. What quality of life will he have (he manages a goodyear store) and what is the typical life expectancy (only good know-but there is an average out there). Please only serious answers or similar experiences. Any referral sites out there would be appreciated. Thanks!

Answer: First I want to express how truly sorry I am to hear about your dad. I am even more sorry that I don't have better news sto share with you, so I am going to preface it with an emphasis that you enjoy your time with your dad and understand that it does not happen over night. You will see a decline in his health so you will be able to prepare a little as the time comes. You might want to check out these associations: www.kidneycancerassociation.org www.kidneycancer.org Many hospitals also have support groups for cancer patients and their families. I encourage you to get involved with one just so you can know more of what to expect and how to cope as things progress. OK, he is really in stage 4 now because it has spread to distant organs. The 5 year survival rate for sttage 4 renal cell carcinoma is about 14%. Those aren't good odds, but at the same time, someone has to be in that 14% in order for it to exist. Traditional chemo & radiation don't work on rcc because the kidney's job is to filter out toxins - which is what those treatments are: toxic. There is immuno-therapy such as interferon and interleukin-2, but they are usually used when the metastasis isn't so far spread. Clinical trials are another option he could discuss with his doctor. Unfortunately, there really are no cut and dry treatments for rcc. My mom was diagnosed with stage 4 renal cell carcinoma in January 1997 and fought it until July 1999 when she was 53, so you see she was a typical case. Her kidney was the size of a football when it wass removed and she had a spot the size of a quarter on her lungs. What to expect: As it progresses, their body becomes weaker and they can feel the tumors growing in their body. My mom would have pillows all around her to counteract the pressure from the tumors. It's sno uncommon for calcium levels to increase, which shows itself in confusion and becoming unsteady or losing balance. It's important to watch for this. It's easily managed through a process similar to donaitng blood, although it's not being donated. Watch for this. With my mom, her head was too heavy in the last 6 months, so she shaved her head and would frequently put it down on the table or wherever she was to rest. She became unsteady in the last couple months. In the last couple weeks, she became dehydrated and constipated, which were uncomfortable. She knew the time was coming and she called my brothers and me home two days before she passed away. I'm not trying to paint a grim picture, but rather help you realistically know what path you have ahead. It's a gradual decline usually over 6 months, once they become more weakened or in pain. There are some things that can be done to help with comfort, but it is usually not entirely taken care of. I don't know if you are a teen or young adult, but it is important either way to have support from others and that your fmily knows what is coming. He should have a durable power of attorney and a will and he should talk to his doctor about hospice care. Does he want to die at home or in the hospital? This is a hard question, for you, I'm sure, but it's an important one. I'm sure he is trying to keep his life as ordinary and normal as he can. If there are things you want to say and do with him, now is the time. Don't wait until he isn't up to it. I am so sorry that you are going through this. I wish no one had to go through it.

Question: life expectancy for someone that had colon cancer? About 2 weeks ago my grandpa went in to have the cancer removed. His wife said it was stage 4 and I know that's the worst where it spreads to other organs. He said the cancer didn't spread and he doesn't even have to go through chemo but he has to get it re-checked in 6 months. I am really confused because my uncle said that they caught it early but it's not early if it was at stage 4. His liver is damaged from heavy drinking years and years ago, and so are his kidneys. [not sure if both are but i'm assuming] Does there tend to be a certain amount of time for someone that had colon cancer?

Answer: Survival depends on the stage. If it is a stage 1 he wouldn’t need chemo and the 5 year survival rate is 90%. If it is a stage 4 the 5 year survival rate is 5%.

Question: Should costs or medical necessity decide what medical treatment you receive? Europe has Universal Healthcare. I was reading a story today about it and basically the central healthcare planning board said the following: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Guidelines (Nice) has ruled for the first time that saving a life cannot be justified at any cost, in a review of its ethical guidelines. Nice is facing growing criticism over the number of drugs it is now rejecting which are available throughout Europe and in America. Last week, it refused to sanction four kidney cancer drugs which can double life expectancy. It has now rejected the so-called "rule of rescue" which stipulates that people facing death should be treated regardless of the costs. The rule is based on the natural impulse to aid individuals in trouble. NICE is the Universal Healthcare Medical Board for England. So is this what is in store for us here in the United States? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2547393/Patients-should-not-expect-NHS-to-save-their-life-if-it-costs-too-much.html Mike - what kind of answer is that? Tribeca - please show me proof

Answer: ethically i should be driving a BMW.. it is much safer than my 1992 Escort. why should i, just because i failed to continue my education and decided to collect welfare, be subjected to drive a car that is inferior in safety to a car that is driven by somebody who works very hard every day?. OBAMA please send me my BMW! (end sarcasm) and no, girl is wrong.. people live shorter in the US because we eat like crap, do not exercise, and lack health education.

Question: Congestive Heart Failure / Dialysis - Life Expectancy - is dialysis worth it? My father had a massive heart attack in his 40s then again in his 60s...he is now 72, lives in an assisted living facility and takes NUMEROUS medications. From the fluid issues, lasix, bumex, etc. his kidneys are failing badly. His doctors told him he should begin dialysis - he has gained 30 lbs in 2 months from his edema issues. He has had very little quality of life for the past 8 years, and i'm not sure whether he shoudl start dialysis. His wife died 10 yrs after his first heart attack from breast cancer and he has never thought about anyone else. He is a terribly depressed person - and angry. i just dont know what to do. if he decides to forgoe dialysis what kind of life expectancy can he expect if the doctors have told him his kidneys are functioning now at 25% or less. I understand the edema could end up being the biggest issue and he could die of pneumonia, but honestly he is reasy to pass on to be with my mother and has been for years. thank you

Answer: Unfortunately, no one of sound mind can have treatment forced upon them, and some people choose not to pursue or continue with dialysis, if they feel that they have already lived a long and fulfilled life. However, this decision should be a well informed decision made by your father in consultation with his family and renal health care team. Palliative care would be available to ease the pain, if he chose not to pursue dialysis. Usually renal replacement therapy (dialysis or transplantation), is started once kidney function drops to 15%, which is based upon how well metabolic wastes are removed from the blood. A person with renal failure (eng-stage renal disease) can pass in as little as a week or two without dialysis. It is hard to be specific, as each individuals case would be different, so a nephrologist would have all the information available to best make such a determination. Your father should have a renal social worker available. You may want to talk to that person and/or have them talk to your father. For dialysis, one really has to be a willing participant. As a patient is there on their own choosing, willing to make a commitment with lifestyle changes. If your Father has put on 30 lbs of water weight that can be removed through successive treatments, but he is going to have to limit his fluid intake. Removing lots of fluid at each dialysis session can be quite painful/uncomfortable for some people.

Question: Question about life expectancy? My father has terminal colon cancer that has now metastasized to the kidney. He has had an emergency colostomy one year ago after a fourth recurrence and is now in kidney failure. There has been an inoperable tumor on his ureter tube for over two years. After several dialysis treatments, the urologist is going to insert a stent into the kidney and send him home. No one will give us a straight answer as to how long he can go on like this (we are honestly hoping for a swifter and easier end--hospice will be brought in when he gets home). Are we looking at days? Weeks? Months? I know doctors cannot predict the future, but I don't understand the hedging when we say we want honesty. Thank you in advance.

Answer: If hospice has been brought in then your father's life expectancy is thought to be a year or less. In more cases than not, however, hospice is consulted very late in the game and patients pass away in 4 weeks or less. This speaks very little to the specifics of your father. Each case is unique and no one can know for certain, other than it is very grave. Most doctors don't like to give numbers because there will always be the case where a patient outlives beyond all expectations. (Thereby making the doctor a bastard for being discouraging) I am very sorry that your father is so sick. There will be good days and less than good days, take advantage of the good ones. God bless.

Question: Whats the life expectancy? A friend was diagnosed with a small cell cancer lesion on her right lung and on her lower lumbar that had reached the bone in 2006. She has been through 3 rounds of Chemotherapy and about 8 moths ago they discovered a lesion on the limpnoid above her right kidney and then a few weeks ago the doctor took her off of treatment saying the latest scan shows all of the cancer active ans no longer responding there is nothing more they can do. I happen to be in town spending the week with her when she calapsed in to a seizure rushed to the hospital where after a MRI they found the Cancer has spread to her brain in 3 areas. My question is yes knowing over all only God knows the exact day we will die medically how much time usually can we expect to have with her?

Answer: "Denisedd" is on the right track. It depends somewhat on whether she will receive palliative radiation for the newly discovered brain lesions. If she has RT, she might make a few more months. If not, the survival is more likely to be 1-2 months is my experience. It also depends on how much disease she has on her chest and abdominal CT scans - the tumor burden as we call it. I treated small lung cancer patients for 20 years as a medical oncology specialist MD. Small cell lung cancers are relatively fast growing malignancies when allowed to progress unchecked. She has done well to make two years with metastatic disease to the bone at the outset in 2006. Of course only God knows, but this is my guess from the limited information provided based on my experience with perhaps 100 people in this situation over 20 years. Each person is different.

Question: PLEASE FILL THIS OUT FOR ME!!! :) life expectancy calc? 1.Male or Female 2.When where you born 3.Do you usually feel happy? 4.What is your height? (m) 5.What is your weight? (kg) 6.What is your BMI? 7.Where does that place you on the BMI scale? 8.Are you classed as overweight/underweight? 9.Do you smoke? 10.Does anyone in your immediate family smoke? 11.Is there a history of Cancer in your family? 12.Do you suffer from Cystic Fibrosis? 13.Is there a history of Cystic Fibrosis in your family? 14.Do you suffer from Down Syndrome? 15.Is there a history of Down Syndrome in your family? 16.Do you suffer from Polycystic Kidney Disease? 17.Is there a history of Polycystic Kidney Disease in your family? 18.How many hours a week do you exercise? 19.What types of foods do you eat? 20.How many hours sleep do you get most nights? 21.Do you have high blood pressure? 22.How often do you drink alcohol? 23.Do you live in a city or the country? 24.Are you…? 25.Have you ever had a heart attack? 26.How many people do you know who have had a heart attack/stroke? 27.Is there a history of heart disease in your family? 28.Ever had Lyme Disease? 29.Do you live near contaminated rivers/bushland? 30.Do you live…? 31.Do you want to live a long and good life? PLEASE FILL THIS OUT FOR ME!!!! PLEASE...

Answer: 1.Male or Female - Female 2.When where you born - 1988 3.Do you usually feel happy? - Half the time 4.What is your height? (cm?) - 5'7''... about 170cm or 1.7 m 5.What is your weight? (kg) - 56 6.What is your BMI? - 19.6 7.Where does that place you on the BMI scale? - average 8.Are you classed as overweight/underweight? - no 9.Do you smoke? - no 10.Does anyone in your immediate family smoke? - god yes 11.Is there a history of Cancer in your family? - no that I know of 12.Do you suffer from Cystic Fibrosis? - no 13.Is there a history of Cystic Fibrosis in your family? - not that I know of 14.Do you suffer from Down Syndrome? - no 15.Is there a history of Down Syndrome in your family?- not that I know of 16.Do you suffer from Polycystic Kidney Disease? - no 17.Is there a history of Polycystic Kidney Disease in your family? - not that i know of 18.How many hours a week do you exercise? - about two 19.What types of foods do you eat? - fruit, special k, soy milk, i stay away from fast food it scares me, chinese food, fish, cheese... 20.How many hours sleep do you get most nights? - at least 5 21.Do you have high blood pressure? - no 22.How often do you drink alcohol? - i don't 23.Do you live in a city or the country? - city 24.Are you…? - am I what? 25.Have you ever had a heart attack? - no

Question: Please fill this out for me!!! Please. Life Expectancy Calc? 1.Male or Female 2.When where you born 3.Do you usually feel happy? 4.What is your height? (m) 5.What is your weight? (kg) 6.What is your BMI? 7.Where does that place you on the BMI scale? 8.Are you classed as overweight/underweight? 9.Do you smoke? 10.Does anyone in your immediate family smoke? 11.Is there a history of Cancer in your family? 12.Do you suffer from Cystic Fibrosis? 13.Is there a history of Cystic Fibrosis in your family? 14.Do you suffer from Down Syndrome? 15.Is there a history of Down Syndrome in your family? 16.Do you suffer from Polycystic Kidney Disease? 17.Is there a history of Polycystic Kidney Disease in your family? 18.How many hours a week do you exercise? 19.What types of foods do you eat? 20.How many hours sleep do you get most nights? 21.Do you have high blood pressure? 22.How often do you drink alcohol? 23.Do you live in a city or the country? 24.Are you stressed always/sometimes/never? 25.Have you ever had a heart attack? 26.How many people do you know who have had a heart attack/stroke? 27.Is there a history of heart disease in your family? 28.Ever had Lyme Disease? 29.Do you live near contaminated rivers/bushland? 30.Do you live with family or partner/alone? 31.Do you want to live a long and good life? PLEASE FILL IN FOR ME!!! if you want, i can calc it for you too :)

Answer: Was bored so I thought I'd answer :D 1. Female 2. 9th of March 1995 3. Whenever I bake/cook 4. 1m 55cm 5. 46.3kg 6. 18.5..... I think.......... 7. healthy weight 8. healthy weight but heading towards underweight 9. no 10. yes.. whole family 11. yes 12. no 13. no 14. no 15. no 16. no 18. 0 19. Anything under 300calories 20. 11 hours 21. no 22. Dont drink 23. City 24. Yes, sometimes 25. no 26. 3 27. Yes 28. no 29. Isnt everywhere contaminated these days 30. family (mum) 31. Dont care if its long, just gonna make the best out of it :D You?? :P :P :P Please calculate... I dont believe in that stuff though :)

Question: stage 4 colon cancer..? about two weeks ago my grandpa went in and had his cancer removed and he was able to go home a couple days ago. he doesn't really tell my mom or I anything because he doesn't want us to worry but he mentioned something about part of his lung being removed too.. so i'm guessing it spread. is there a life expectancy for someone like him? also, his liver is damaged from heavy drinking years and years ago and so are his kidneys.

Answer: No one really knows how long someone will live, but I would be surprised if he made it much past 6 months or a year if it has spread to his lungs. If the lung problem is unrelated, then perhaps longer. Stage 4 is the worst stage of cancer. The damaged liver and kidneys is another bad sign. He doesn't have much reserves. I hate to tell you that, but it means you should try to enjoy as much time as you can with him. Don't dwell on the dying, help him live what life he has left. Make sure he knows you love him, by actions as much as words.

Question: "my sisters keeper" my personal movie review*may contain spoilers*? the conceived one child for the soul purpose of slowly hacking away at her they fed her growth hormones and slowly took everything away and were planning to take her kidney...reducing quality of life.... they didnt go very far into how that poor little girl was abused instead they did the same thing the Kate wanted to avoid she didnt want it to be all about her she just wanted to die in peace and give her sister a chance. this entire movie was based around Kate not the poor girl Anna who was pumped full of hormones SINCE birth like a piece of prime beef! and slowly hacked away at and then they expected her to give up half her life expectancy without a choice? i couldnt do that to my child if one had cancer i would do everything but what that mother did. i would never bring a child into this world as nothing more that living life support for the other i believe in choice isnt that what most Gods give us? i think any family that tries to have one child while another is suffering from cancer should give medical freedom to any child born after the one with cancer so they cant take anything away from them and the child cant consent until 11-12 because this woman would have tricked Anna into doing it! i realize the cancer girls name was Kate. i know ppl called Kate we call her Katie. i am not a physical parent but i raised my cousins one does have a problem that will kill her eventually . i wouldnt value her life more than her brothers nor him over her....the mother in this completely forgot about Anna's needs...it was her duty to sacrifice her body to her sister as a temporary fix every time her sisters body broke down... I UNDERSTAND that the mother was worried about her other child but to choose one over another? to deem one more valuable? after conceiving one for the purpose of cutting her up? one time they mention lieing to her and telling her they are going to get ice cream...another they held her down... ****insulting commentary will be reported****** what are your opinions , on this? Imagine: thats exactly what im asking about and they dont even in the film go over the poor girls plight the deny it! how horrid!

Answer: I haven't seen the movie, but I read the book and plan to see the movie. I'm assuming you are asking opinions on what these parents did to their younger daughter and their purpose for conceiving her. I think it was dispicable.

Question: may contain *spoilers* could you do what they did in "my sisters keeper" to your kid? the conceived one child for the soul purpose of slowly hacking away at her they fed her growth hormones and slowly took everything away and were planning to take her kidney...reducing quality of life.... they didnt go very far into how that poor little girl was abused instead they did the same thing the Kate wanted to avoid she didnt want it to be all about her she just wanted to die in peace and give her sister a chance. this entire movie was based around Kate not the poor girl Anna who was pumped full of hormones SINCE birth like a piece of prime beef! and slowly hacked away at and then they expected her to give up half her life expectancy without a choice? i couldnt do that to my child if one had cancer i would do everything but what that mother did. i would never bring a child into this world as nothing more that living life support for the other i believe in choice isnt that what most Gods give us? i think any family that tries to have one child while another is suffering from cancer should give medical freedom to any child born after the one with cancer so they cant take anything away from them and the child cant consent until 11-12 because this woman would have tricked Anna into doing it! i realize the cancer girls name was Kate. i know ppl called Kate we call her Katie. i am not a physical parent but i raised my cousins one does have a problem that will kill her eventually . i wouldnt value her life more than her brothers nor him over her....the mother in this completely forgot about Anna's needs...it was her duty to sacrifice her body to her sister as a temporary fix every time her sisters body broke down... I UNDERSTAND that the mother was worried about her other child but to choose one over another? to deem one more valuable? after conceiving one for the purpose of cutting her up? one time they mention lieing to her and telling her they are going to get ice cream...another they held her down... ****insulting commentary will be reported****** what are your opinions medically, on doing this?

Answer: I thought the whole book was illogical. The treatment of the donor child was cruel and abusive. Very few parents could do that to a child even to save another. I did not like the book at all. Not my kind of story.