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Taking action -- Kidney Cancer

Hello,

A loved one has recently informed me of an illness in Kidney Cancer.  It is malignant, and through blood work has shown to have spread to the brain.  Symptoms are back pain (by the kidney right side), zing/weak feeling on the right leg sometimes, head aches, rusty looking urine, and being very tired and excessive sleeping most of the day while staying up most of the night.  We have been told to wait for now to hear from more research and blood results, however it is taking longer than expected and I am very worried as to if something should be done right now vs. waiting.  If there is ANY information or suggestions you have that may be helpful/informative I would greatly appreciate it.    

Thank you so much.
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Avatar universal
Well, it would not be prudent of me to give an opinion on this/treatment options.

I would recommend the patient getting a second opinion.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have just been informed of new information from current blood work.  The location of the tumor in the brain is sort of in the middle of the head, behind the nose.  From what the patient has told me, they have told us to wait since the location is too deep in the head to operate because the tumor is about the size of a small marble.  I have also been told that chemo will not be as effective because of the location as well.  

Opinions?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I would think that it is a "conflict of interest" for a family member to be taking care of another family member's tests, etc.  To add, is this family member who is a doctor an Oncologist?  If he or she isn't, then....he/she should NOT be managing this.

I would be getting the management out of this person's hands per se and get another physician in on the case.  Sounds like he/she doesn't know how to handle this in my opinion.  

The patient needs some kind of aggressive treatment ASAP even if it is pallative, which I think it will end up being because of the metastasis.  
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Avatar universal
Thank you for your reply. The patient has a family member who is a Doctor and has been taking care of tests/research.  It is a bit distant to me, and I feel as though I should push to take them in and see what is going on.  It has been a week since the current blood work was taken, and a little over 3 weeks since the initial news was given.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was a bit confused.  

Is he or she seeing an Oncologist?  

How long has it been since you all have been waiting for further information (labwork/research)?

Sounds pretty agressive and this "loved one" needs treatment ASAP.  
Helpful - 0
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