No biopsy - just watch and wait?

My cousin was diagnosed 3 months ago with a mass near his kidney. He has yet to have a biopsy. This makes me very nervous. They just want to "watch" it. Has anyone heard of doing this?

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

HI Zencat,

We would not really know why they would want to wait. There may be some other issues that concern them about doing a biopsy. But how did they discover the mass in the first place?

Patients are often put off and afraid to ask questions. I would encourage your cousin to actively pursue the doctor and get a resolution as to the course of action they are going to take for him or her.

[Hidden in reply to Bassetmommer]

They found it when he started having back pain. I've done some research. Apparently a needle biosy might not be accurate with some tumors, particularly if they're small.

Renal tumors can be very slow in growing so they watch those instead of drastic surgery. The metastasis risk is pretty small.

If it starts growing quickly the tumor and kidney will be removed.

I've had 3 cousins in the past year diagnosed with cancer. One with a cancer so rare there is no treatment protocol beyond surgery. One with triple negative breast cancer, non-heriditary. They are both doing well now.

We're just going to have to wait and see on this one.

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Zencat,

Hang in there as our thoughts and prayers are with you.

I have heard of the dangers of biopsy and risk of cell leak issues.

I agree with Bassetmomer in this case. I would encourage your cousin to speak to the doctor and explore what other alternatives can be done at this point to uncover the type of tumor.

Also, has a second opinion been considered?

Reach out and let us know how he is doing.

Stay strong and positive!

Bet