Removing malignant kidney when creatinine clearance level is poor

[Ricky183]

I am 76, in excellent health, except a recent routine check picked up a 1.7 creatinine level and a 24 Bun level.Passed kidney stones 1n 1988 and a recheck of my records shows that my creatinine levels have fluctuated between 1.6 and 1.1 for past 15 years.Creatinine clearance level last month was 46.

To compound matters, a routine ultra sonic picked up a mass in my right kidney, confirmed by a CT & MRI to be an apparent cancer in the right kidney. No symptoms (except for a few red calls in my 24 hour urine sample) and the cancer seemed to be contained within the capsule.

Scheduled for a 11/18 surgical removal of kidney - will my left kidney hold up or should I take a chance and not have the right kidney removed?
NEED A QUICK REPONSE

[Kevin Pho, MD]

In most cases, this is a risk vs benefit decision.  If surgery is being considered for the right kidney, then it has been determined that the cancer has progressed to a sufficient stage where surgery can help the prognosis.  

It is certainly possible to continue living with one kidney.  In fact, there are those who donate kindeys who go on with only one kidney.  However, you have to be careful in the future with any medications or tests that are potentially damaging to the kidneys (i.e. antiinflamatories like Advil or Motrin, tests involving IV contrast, some antibiotics).  You should work closely with your personal physician to take care of the remaining kidney.  

If you have any questions regarding the procedure and its outcome, you should have them sufficiently answered by your personal physician before undergoing the procedure.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[whata]

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