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Kidney cancer spread (50% of 1 vertabrae & inferior Vena Cava)
by Paud, Apr 03, 2008 11:30AM
Hi....My fatherin law had one kidney removed March 07 due to cancer, he was told that it had not spread and he had 3 CT scans between then and December 07 which were all clear, however he kept complaining of back pain and leg pain. Eventually when he looked like a corpse (December 07) we insisted on an MRI and it was revealed that the cancer had spread to 1 vertabrae and had blocked his inferior vena cava. He had radiadation therapy late December and he has been on Sutent since January. He had his 3 month scan (post sutent) results this week and the cancer has gone from consuming 33% to 50% of his affected vertabrae, however while on the drug he is well and has no pain. On his 1st 2week break he swelled up badly after 1 week and the pain in the back returned, on the 2nd 2 week break he lasted 1.5 weeks and the pain returned with minor swelling and he looked like death, however no that he is back on the tablets he feels and look good again. Unfortunately the MRI results from December were lost hence the 33% to 50% spread is based between November and March i.e. it may be possible that the cancer spread to 50% prior to going on Sutent. I have numerous question and would be very grateful for any help e.g.
1, Is Sutent the best drug available i.e. is Torisel better for example.
2, What is the prognosis in the event that the drugs work and in the event that they do not. If they work then how long could they continue working for?.
3, If progression continues into the vertabrae will this lead to my father in law being wheelchair bound and if so how long will this level of progression take.
4, Is there any other treatments available for this case which may help e.g. surgical removal of part of vertabrae or all?, chemotherapy for vertabrae etc..
5, I hear that protein is very important for cancer sufferers, is this true and should protein or any other supplements be used, Iron tablets are being taken currently due to anemia as a result of the kidney removal.
6, Can and should bone cement or something else be used to prevent the vertabrae from collapsing/fracture.
1, Is Sutent the best drug available i.e. is Torisel better for example.
2, What is the prognosis in the event that the drugs work and in the event that they do not. If they work then how long could they continue working for?.
3, If progression continues into the vertabrae will this lead to my father in law being wheelchair bound and if so how long will this level of progression take.
4, Is there any other treatments available for this case which may help e.g. surgical removal of part of vertabrae or all?, chemotherapy for vertabrae etc..
5, I hear that protein is very important for cancer sufferers, is this true and should protein or any other supplements be used, Iron tablets are being taken currently due to anemia as a result of the kidney removal.
6, Can and should bone cement or something else be used to prevent the vertabrae from collapsing/fracture.
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