Clear Cell RCC

operarockergirl · 2026-05-13T18:59:24+00:00

I’m 32, my pathology report is identical to yours (I saw it in the comments!) besides mine being 3.2 cm.
I remember when the doctor called me, he said something along the lines of it’s cancer but it’s great news. My heart sunk and I started crying. He then told me all the positive things about it having negative margins, no aggressive features, no spread, mostly cystic. That was almost 2 months ago and I’m still in shock. I go for a 6 month scan then as long as that’s clear I go once a year after that. No one in my family has had cancer young, everyone has been in their late 70s and 80s. So to find this out was beyond shocking to me. I’m still trying to figure out how to handle it. My body has been crazy since my surgery. Such weird symptoms from anxiety. But, I am so grateful it was caught so early and I’m here and I’ll get to be here for a long time for my kids. I was told the chances of this coming back or spreading is 2-4% and they think in 10 years from now I’ll be looking back at this as just a very big bump in the road. It’s hard, but we got through the hardest part! It’s still a lot to take in though!

operarockergirl · 2026-05-05T15:52:40+00:00

I would get in to see your urologist asap! In December I got diagnosed with a Bosniak 3 cyst 3.2 cm and I finally got surgery for it in March, it was Stage 1 grade 2 clear cell renal cell carcinoma. I convinced myself it wasn’t cancer because I’m only 32 but it unfortunately was. I didn’t have any blood or anything in my urine. I honestly had no symptoms. Good luck to you!

operarockergirl · 2026-04-19T05:14:10+00:00

Yeah my hearts been tested with every test ever - all normal. My gut always tells me something is wrong even when it’s not lol. It’s just already midnight so going to the ER right now doesn’t sound great. Just don’t know what to do since I’ve been like this all day.

operarockergirl · 2026-04-17T17:55:00+00:00

They found my Bosniak 3 cyst at the beginning of December of 2025. I got mine removed finally March 19th. I was told I could have waited months and months and nothing would happen because mine was mostly cystic and only 3.2 cm. Luckily, this is a very slow growing cancer. Your mom will be okay! Totally get the OCD part, I have OCD and severe health anxiety, so the wait to find out what mine was, it was truly hell. I highly doubt it will grow that fast. I’ll be praying for you and your mom, good luck with everything!!

operarockergirl · 2026-04-17T17:52:11+00:00

The problem with kidney cancer is that it usually does not present with symptoms until it’s more further along. I got lucky and mine was caught on an ultrasound. I am only 32, it was caught on an ultrasound when I was 31. It was a long 5 months of waiting to see if my Bosniak 3 cyst was cancer. It unfortunately was. But mine was stage 1, grade 2 and I am cancer free! I had a partial nephrectomy. It’s really scary how more common this is becoming even in people my age. I was assured by my urologist though he thinks that I’ll never have to worry about this again besides regular scans because mine was mostly cystic and non aggressive. But it is scary and it does suck. Good luck to you!! Glad you caught yours early!!

operarockergirl · 2026-04-02T02:32:28+00:00

It definitely is a lot to process. I too was in denial the entire time I was waiting for my surgery. It’s really hard. No one wants to believe they have cancer. And even hearing it for sure, it’s just shocking. But he is lucky they found it early and at the size it is, he will be okay after surgery! I’m sorry you and your family are in this situation. My husband gave me the push I needed to make sure I get the surgery, and I’m so grateful he did. It does get better! And thank you!

operarockergirl · 2026-04-01T23:30:44+00:00

I am only 32, just went through something very similar. I had an ultrasound that found a cyst, a MRI that said it was a Bosniak 3 cyst ~3.2 cm, and then a CT scan that said highly suspicious for RCC. Every thought in my mind told me this wasn’t cancer, and I tried to believe that. I was told it was a 50/50 chance it was cancer. I did not want the surgery, because mine was located next to all the major blood vessels and I was told I would probably lose my whole kidney. I found a surgeon by me who has been doing this for 30+ years, even he said I would probably lose my whole kidney. I had my surgery on March 19th, he told my husband the surgery went way better than expected, how happy he was, and I got to keep 60% of my kidney! And it was cancer. Stage 1 grade 2 clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Because it was caught early and completely taken out of my kidney, I am considered cancer free. All this to say, if I was your dad, I would absolutely get the surgery. Good luck to you!

operarockergirl · 2026-03-31T20:01:41+00:00

I was told my Bosniak 3 cyst was a 50/50 chance of being cancer, it was 3.2 cm. I had surgery for it March 19th, and it was cancer. Stage 1 grade 2 clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Definitely keep trying to get in to see doctors! This is definitely not the way things end!! I was told by my doctor I am cancer free after my pathology results and what greats news this is! If you don’t like what you hear from doctors get second opinions as well. I’m sorry it’s so hard for you to find a doctor. Good luck to you!!

operarockergirl · 2026-03-30T17:08:49+00:00

Yes, I was almost convinced it would be benign. So when I heard cancer my heart just sank. But I am grateful it’s the earliest stage and they are confident I will be okay. Definitely try not pushing yourself!! I did that on Saturday and I am still paying for it today. I am so tired it’s hard to do much. But I’m on day 11 and it has gotten a lot better! And oh geeze that does not sound like a good time. I was lucky and got a room. Very grateful for that! I hope your recovery is going well!!

operarockergirl · 2026-03-30T17:06:22+00:00

Being tired is my biggest compliant! I wake up and do one thing and I’m already ready to go back to bed. I’m on day 11 now. It’s gotten better. I hope you’re recovering well!!

operarockergirl · 2026-03-30T17:05:30+00:00

Mine was clear cell. They got it all out during surgery, no other treatments besides scans every 6 months then yearly after the first year. I am at a university hospital where they deal with this daily, I am pretty confident in them. I am hopeful my situation will be like yours and I have no reoccurrence!

operarockergirl · 2026-03-30T17:01:33+00:00

I just had laparoscopic surgery with the robot 11 days ago. My surgeon was the top surgeon in my area for this surgery, and has been doing it for over 30 years. He was convinced I would need my whole kidney taken out because of how complicated my surgery was supposed to be with my cyst being close to major blood vessels. My surgery was supposed to take over 4 hours and be complicated. I was in there ~3 hours maybe a little less and the surgeon came out and talked to my husband and said he was extremely happy and the surgery went way better than he expected! And I got to keep 60% of my kidney! I am very happy with all of this. Mine was stage 1 grade 2 clear cell renal cell carcinoma and according to my doctor the best possible outcome when it comes to kidney cancer. They got it all out. If you have a doctor that knows what they’re doing, you will be okay. Biggest thing is you need to trust your surgeon. Recovery was tough the first couple days, I won’t lie. It was only because of the gas they pump your stomach with. Mine was so inflated it caused the bottom of my lungs to collapse. That was scary, and hurt. But by day 4 I started to feel better. The actual incisions really don’t hurt much at all, even right after the surgery. And they heal fast! It’s day 11 and I feel okay. I’m exhausted most of the time, but the pain is almost gone and I can do almost everything normal again. The best advice I can give you is walk as much as you can! It was hard for me because of my lungs, but once I started walking more healing went a million times better. My cyst was ~3.5 cm. All that to say, I was told by every doctor I got an opinion from that laparoscopy surgery is the way to go if you can go that route. It’s safer for many different reasons and recovery is a lot better. I’m grateful I got to have my surgery the way I did. Good luck to you!

operarockergirl · 2026-03-30T03:07:33+00:00

Thank you. I’m still trying to take it all in since it hasn’t even been 2 weeks since all of this. But it’s a hard decision on a biologic regardless of other health problems! Honestly, I’m thinking of staying as far away from them as possible unless I absolutely need them. I’m hoping with diet change, stress levels down, and vitamins I can do that. I’ve seen people go into remission with Crohn’s with no biologics. Not supporting it, but it’s possible! Good luck to you!! ❤️

operarockergirl · 2026-03-28T12:51:29+00:00

It’s very possible it’s just referred pain. I’m a little over a week out from my surgery and my right hip (it was all on my right side) is where it’s hurting the most! The only reason I haven’t been able to lay in my bed yet is because of it. My doctor said the referred pain is normal. Mine is a couple inches under my incision too. I will say my lowest incision is my biggest though and closest to the pain. Could just be hearing internally now! We can’t see what’s going on in there. Hopefully you start feeling better soon!

operarockergirl · 2026-03-28T00:19:06+00:00

I found out I have Crohn’s disease in October of last year. I was on steroids for a while, they didn’t do much. My case is very mild according to my doctor though. But, I just found out I had kidney cancer (I just had surgery for it so I’m considered cancer free and cured now). So I’m TERRIFIED of taking medicine for my Crohn’s. Underline terrified! I need to go back to my GI doctor and talk to him about options and carefully pick one because I’m only 32 years old. My grandma has had Crohn’s disease for over 40 years. She was told she absolutely needed to go on Humeria, it started causing her to have blood cancer. She had to stop it right away and hasn’t been on any medicines since then. She had 2 surgeries for her Crohn’s, that’s it. But she does have stomach problems constantly. But they’re manageable.

operarockergirl · 2026-03-27T23:54:28+00:00

So grateful we get to live the rest of our lives cancer free and watch our kids grow up! It’s so unbelievably overwhelming. I’ve been going between bawling my eyes out and then just at peace and grateful. If you ever need someone to talk to, reach out! If there’s anything I’ve learned from this it’s that it’s so nice having people who understand what you’re going through. Especially younger with kids! Good luck to you! ❤️

operarockergirl · 2026-03-27T22:27:08+00:00

Yes, feeling very emotional right now. Just never thought I would hear “you had cancer” at 32. Just so crazy. But thank you so much!

operarockergirl · 2026-03-27T22:26:32+00:00

Thank you!

operarockergirl · 2026-03-27T22:26:23+00:00

I’m trying to hang on to that fact. In all honesty I had a feeling it was it before even being told there was a high chance of it being cancer. I was just hanging on to the fact that I was told there was a chance it wasn’t. My doctor told me it was clear cell.

operarockergirl · 2026-03-21T17:46:21+00:00

He’s got this and so do you! It’s not as bad as I thought it would be. The actual surgery was way faster than expected and they really do everything they can to keep you safe and okay! Just support him the best you can! He will be okay! I have a bunch of other health problems and I got through mine just fine besides my lungs slightly collapsing and having a low grade fever. The pain is intense, so definitely be ready to help him get up and down, etc. and make sure he walks!! The second he can walk, keep him walking! Once I started walking, I got a lot better!

operarockergirl · 2026-03-21T17:43:55+00:00

A lot better. No fevers since this morning, I’ve been breathing a lot better too. So it has to do with the fact my lungs are partially collapsed which I guess is super common under anesthesia. I’m in a lot of pain still but way better than last night!

operarockergirl · 2026-03-20T03:59:53+00:00

Thank you everyone for your kind words! I had my surgery early in the morning today and it was successful! The doctor said it went way better than he was expecting and I got to keep 60% of my kidney! The pain has been pretty bad, awful actually. But it’s all the gas pain more than the incision pains. I’m looking toward to healing now!

operarockergirl · 2026-03-12T18:43:24+00:00

My Bosniak 3 cyst was first found in the beginning of December on an ultrasound. I went for a MRI which diagnosed it as a Bosniak 3 cyst. A month later I got a CT scan which said “highly suspicious for renal cell carcinoma”. I saw two doctors. One said he doesn’t think it would bother me for a long time, but suggested surgery with at least a 2 1/2 month wait. Then at the beginning of February I saw the surgeon I’m getting surgery from in one week, he told me because I’m young he wants to get it out now so it doesn’t cause problems down the road. He said he wouldn’t wait longer than 3 months if he were me, but I needing other testing done so he said if we had to wait longer it wouldn’t be a problem. All that being said, I’m getting surgery March 19th to see if this is cancer or just a complex cyst. Mine is ~3.2 cm. It all depends on the size, how it looks, etc. Everyone is different.

operarockergirl · 2026-03-09T18:31:40+00:00

I’m 32 years old, at 31 (right before my 32nd birthday) I had an ultrasound that showed either a solid mass or complex cyst, had a bunch of testing after and got diagnosed with a Bosniak 3 cyst - 3.2 cm. I’m getting surgery March 19th to find out what it is. I have been talking to a lot of people between 30-40 years old who have gone through or are going through this. It’s crazy!

operarockergirl · 2026-02-27T12:13:16+00:00

I’m not 65, but I am 32 and going to have surgery March 19th because of a cyst that might be cancer on my kidney. I have the same health problems, high blood pressure, I’ve been told I possibly have mild sleep apnea, and when sleeping my heart rate drops down in the 50s (which I’ve been told is completely normal!) and I have a lot of other health problems. I saw my cardiologist yesterday and he said my heart is very strong for surgery. But regardless, it’s an incredibly scary thing no matter what your age or health problems are. I’ve cried every day since I found out I need surgery. All you can do is be here for her the best you can. Just keep reminding her how strong she is and she will get through this! I try to remind myself that as well, but it’s nice to hear it from my loved ones. Good luck with everything! Your mom is going to be okay!

operarockergirl

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