Pls Recommend Kidney Cancer Forum

Has it been determined if it is a return of Melanoma or is it Kidney Cancer?  Also important is where are you located?

Jerry from Cape Cod

Has it been determined if it is a return of Melanoma or is it Kidney Cancer?  Also important is where are you located?

Jerry from Cape Cod

From first hand experience I highly recommed Dr. David McDermott at Beth Isreal Deconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston. He is not a surgeon, but an oncologist with specialty in biological treatments.  His main area of work is with Kidney Cancer and also Melanoma.  He partners with Dr. Michael Atkins who also is a leader in the field.

They practice a team approach with surgical, radiation, etc.  Both are also Harvad Medical
School professors.  The doctors at the  major Boston cancer centers. BIDMC, Dana Farber, Mass General, Brigham & Women's all work closely together.

If I were facing the unknown type of cancer on the Kidn'ey with a Melanoma history I'd want all the Big Guns on my side.

Good Luck

Jerry from Cape Cod

From first hand experience I highly recommed Dr. David McDermott at Beth Isreal Deconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston. He is not a surgeon, but an oncologist with specialty in biological treatments.  His main area of work is with Kidney Cancer and also Melanoma.  He partners with Dr. Michael Atkins who also is a leader in the field.

They practice a team approach with surgical, radiation, etc.  Both are also Harvad Medical
School professors.  The doctors at the  major Boston cancer centers. BIDMC, Dana Farber, Mass General, Brigham & Women's all work closely together.

If I were facing the unknown type of cancer on the Kidn'ey with a Melanoma history I'd want all the Big Guns on my side.

Good Luck

Jerry from Cape Cod

You can find an active Kidney Cancer discussion group ( e-mail) through Steve Dunn's Cancer page. Steve Dunn was a long term survivor of Stage 4 RCC ( 20+yrs) who started an excellent general cancer information website and informative RCC e-mail group. He passed away recently–but from Meningitis. The group was taken over by a nurse – Robin Martinez and a RCC spouse- Cathy Sherman. They are very compassionate women and  knowledgeable about Kidney cancer and treatments. Here's the linkto the main site…you can find links to RCC specific lists and groups here: http://www.cancerguide.org/

Good luck. Roxanne

You can find an active Kidney Cancer discussion group ( e-mail) through Steve Dunn's Cancer page. Steve Dunn was a long term survivor of Stage 4 RCC ( 20+yrs) who started an excellent general cancer information website and informative RCC e-mail group. He passed away recently–but from Meningitis. The group was taken over by a nurse – Robin Martinez and a RCC spouse- Cathy Sherman. They are very compassionate women and  knowledgeable about Kidney cancer and treatments. Here's the linkto the main site…you can find links to RCC specific lists and groups here: http://www.cancerguide.org/

Good luck. Roxanne

I'm a melanoma survivor and my husband is a kidney cancer survivor.  We both go to Dana Farber in Boston.  After multiple scans and consult with local doctor in our home state we made decision to go to Boston for his surgery to confirm Kidney cancer and whatever treatment might lie ahead.    Neither of the 2 surgeons consulted would perform larascopic since the size and location of the tumor (lower pole).  Husband had partial nefrectomy which removed 1/2 of a kidney.So large scar…makes for good stories.  Pathology confirmed kidney cancer, but a very specific type of kideny cancer –  not seen often.  Based on that, we moved his scan/watch/wait care literally down the street to Dana Farber – I'd been going there for 4 years and knew at least the system and facility.   His Dr. is Toni Choueiri in their "Lank Center for GEnitourinary Oncology Department".  Surgery was almost 2 years ago, scans clean (as of last week) since then. 

As Jerry mentioned – there are a number of great docs here in Boston with multiple facilities within a stone's throw of each other.

I'm a melanoma survivor and my husband is a kidney cancer survivor.  We both go to Dana Farber in Boston.  After multiple scans and consult with local doctor in our home state we made decision to go to Boston for his surgery to confirm Kidney cancer and whatever treatment might lie ahead.    Neither of the 2 surgeons consulted would perform larascopic since the size and location of the tumor (lower pole).  Husband had partial nefrectomy which removed 1/2 of a kidney.So large scar…makes for good stories.  Pathology confirmed kidney cancer, but a very specific type of kideny cancer –  not seen often.  Based on that, we moved his scan/watch/wait care literally down the street to Dana Farber – I'd been going there for 4 years and knew at least the system and facility.   His Dr. is Toni Choueiri in their "Lank Center for GEnitourinary Oncology Department".  Surgery was almost 2 years ago, scans clean (as of last week) since then. 

As Jerry mentioned – there are a number of great docs here in Boston with multiple facilities within a stone's throw of each other.

I am facing the same dilemma.  Diagnosed with Stage IIIa melanoma a month or so ago.  PET scan revealed mass on left kidney.  Cancer confirmed on biopsy.  Scheduled for partial nephrectomy on July 29th and will be looking for a cancer center for aftercare of both the melanoma for which all axillary lymph nodes will also be removed on July 29.  Boston would be good for me but will go anywhere.  Otherwise PET scan is clean.

MartyW in New Hampshire

I am facing the same dilemma.  Diagnosed with Stage IIIa melanoma a month or so ago.  PET scan revealed mass on left kidney.  Cancer confirmed on biopsy.  Scheduled for partial nephrectomy on July 29th and will be looking for a cancer center for aftercare of both the melanoma for which all axillary lymph nodes will also be removed on July 29.  Boston would be good for me but will go anywhere.  Otherwise PET scan is clean.

MartyW in New Hampshire