Scared to death regarding CT scan of 1.5 kidney mass

[Tibard]

Hello,



I just received a call from my doctor today after having a CT scan of the abdoman, and pelvis (I'm having a lumbar spine CT next week).



I have a 1.5 centimeter mass in the right kidney. I've had back (flank and lower) and hip pain(hurts in the morning when rising, doesn't bother me during the day) and mild dizziness for the last year and a half.One day I even had leg weakness. At night, I have pain in my back and hip bone that is not relieved by advil or aspirin. When I visited by Primary care during that year , he never suggested CT scans (my gyno recommended these), he thought it was a virus. The lab results say the 1.5 centimeter mass has heterogeneous enhancement and the CT numbers are greater than 30 hounsfield units.Everything else on the CT for the abdomen and pelvis looked normal.My next step is to see a urologist.  I can't see the urologist until July 10th and am freaking out about this discovery. I haven't slept at all tonight.



Does this mean I have Cancer? No one wants to suggest it even if they think it is cancer until I see a Urologist. If it is cancer,is it possible the hip bone pain i have had over the last year means the cancer has metatasized? I had an xray done on my hip bone a year and a half ago due to pain and the doctor did not see anything. I'm thinking now that bone cancer may not have shown on a routine xray.I also had a lung xray earlier this year that showed arthritis in my upper back/neck ( I've had off/on pain in my neck and upper back). It is possible that the xray was misdiagnosed and the pain in the neck/upper back is a possible metatasis? I'm scared that I've wasted a year and a half since the onset of symptoms and the cancer may have spread as a result and my treatment choices (if any) may be limited. Your response is most appreciated.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Although cancer is a possibility, there are other causes of kidney masses - such as a cyst.  



Further imaging can be done with an MRI if the CT scan is inconclusive.  



Regarding bone cancer - a bone scan or MRI of the affected area can be considered to ensure that this is not metastases.  A plain film is not a sensitive enough test.  



A referral to a urologist is the correct approach.  



These questions should be discussed with your personal physician.



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.



Kevin, M.D.

kevinmd_

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