A biographical report of my Kidney Cancer Cryosurgical treatment. By K Henley. Revised 10 February 2006

To live with the cancer.This option seems to be very uncertain as the length of time before the cancer becomes a problem is undeterminable.

Cancer backup states: - "A malignant tumour consists of cancer cells, which have the ability to spread beyond the original site and, if left untreated, may invade and destroy surrounding tissues. Sometimes cells break away from the original cancer and spread to other organs in the body via the bloodstream or lymphatic system".

Cornell University state "Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer. RCC begins small and grows larger over time, like many other cancers. Based on limited observations, renal cancers appear to grow approximately 1 cm (1/2 inch) in diameter per year". It also states, Stage 1: The tumour is 7cm about (2 3/4 inches) or smaller, and limited to the kidney. There is no spread to lymph nodes or distant organs. Above 7cm the tumour starts to spread into the kidney. The later is depending on staging which is a method of measuring the predicted spread of the tumour.

If I consider the size of my cancer now (2.6cm) it appears to me that in about 4 - 6 years my cancer will start to spread and then to survive I would have to have a nephrectomy or drastic treatment.

Unless I can receive any assurances that differ from the above I would be negligent not to seek an option to remove the cancer.

Back to the top