DEAR DR. GOTT:
I recently went on a trip that involved traveling 1100 miles. During that time I developed a blood clot in my right leg that moved into the bottom of both lungs. Because of this I had several tests done. One was a CT scan and during this they incidentally found what appeared to be a tumor on one of my kidneys. I was given the anticoagulant Coumadin to start immediately and told to check out the kidney problem when I got home.
When I returned home I saw my physician who was concerned about my kidney at first. I asked for a referral to a specialist who ordered another CT scan. Again, it showed I had a mass on my kidney. I was told that it was under 4 cm so it was caught quite early.
My urologist doesn’t want to do anything about the kidney right now despite the fact he feels it is cancer. He says it may have been there a long time and that these things are usually slow growing. He appears to be more concerned with the blood clots in my lungs.
I am scheduled for a follow up CT scan in 90 days and am looking at surgery sometime this fall.
My concern is that if this is cancer, waiting is just giving it a chance to spread. I would like to have the cancer dealt with right now. My daughter is an RN and agrees with my urologist so I am not sure what to think. Can you help? Does the urologist’s approach seem right to you?
DEAR READER:
I am not a urologist but agree with him.
The blood clots in your lungs are the most serious problem you have. They are more likely to cause immediate problems or even death should they move.
Your kidney tumor on the other hand, was found incidentally; therefore, I assume it was not causing any symptoms. Without the blood clot testing you probably would not have even known you had a kidney tumor until it grew or spread causing symptoms. You are lucky that it was caught early.
Follow your urologist’s advice. Stay on the Coumadin.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Kidney Disorders”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.
About Dr. Gott