Very sorry to hear your other kidney is not strong. Sounds like you were lucky to have discovered this cancer early on, hope that proves to be the reason you have a successful outcome.

Had kidney cancer and a partial nephrectomy in 2021… seems they got it all.

Slipped on ice and broke two ribs, that’s how that was found!

Nearly died on the table though, seems during surgery I started to come out of anesthesia, gave me some more and my blood pressure dropped as well as oxygen levels to 20%… I was told they thought I was a goner.

Recovery was tough, couldn’t take any pain meds due to fear it would further suppress my respiratory system… the warned my pain meds could off me.

Get in the best shape you can prior to surgery and you’ll be fine.

Unfortunately, another cancer is stage 4 and is responding well to treatment.

Anyhow, best of luck!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BillyBonesNY,

I'm just ahead of you brother. Last summer I had a mass identified on the lower pole of my left kidney after a couple of tough years of kidney stones. I won't get into the mis and muffed diagnosis as it won't help you .

I was told don't worry, it's small, not growing, blah, blah, blah.

The Missoula and Kalispell urologists agreed a complete nephrectomy was best, but one confided in me there was a doc in Washington State that specializes in partial nephrectomies. Long story short, on September 3rd 2025 I had a partial nephrectomy of my left kidney where they removed 3cm Stage 3 Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) - clear margins but it was a difficult surgery even with the surgeon's pet DaVinci robot done laparoscopically.

Because of the staging, I was advised by my local urologist who had pointed me West to Washington it best to see an oncologist who decided I needed a 1 year blast of immunotherapy (Keytruda/pembro)

Last Tuesday I had dose #3 of the pembro; I go every 6 weeks. I need CT's with contrast every 90 days for the first year, every 6 months until 3 years post surgery, and then every 5 years.

Not sure I did the right thing by agreeing to the pembro, but my dermatologist daughter, dermatologist son-in-law and RN significant other all agreed with the hotshot oncologist and would have been like pushing a rope to decline.

So, I technically don't have a tumor anyone knows about, but RCC has an affinity for lungs and lymph system ...and it was Stage 3 so there's a pretty good chance cancer cells are running around inside; hence the Keytruda aka pembro. My cancer was identified by the local urologists via CT w/w-o contrast at Stage 1 or 2, when in actuality the pathology on tumor itself proved it to stage 3. Pray for the best, but plan for the worst.


Drop me an e-mail or call me anytime I can tell you what I learned and what I might do different. Wishing you the best luck and outcome!

Aileron

This message has been edited. Last edited by: aileron,

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Listen to the sage advice of those who have dealt with the same or similar diagnoses. F- cancer.

To the OP. I had kidney cancer. Right kidney removed. Left doing well. It's been over two years now. I get a CT scan every six months and a camera shoved up my pecker every four months for bladder inspection. So far so good. You will have some diet and habit changes. I hate the food and booze restrictions.

Sorry to hear. Prayers it all goes well for ya. I had my last radiation treatment December 31st. I'm slowly getting all my energy back. That stuff does a number on yer insides..ya just can't see it.