Oxfordshire Cancer Information

Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust

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Signs of Recurrence

gemma_crane

gemma_crane

You will be followed up very closely in the kidney cancer clinic by the Consultant Urologist or Consultant Oncologist. At these appointments you will often be told that you are to have a CT scan, blood test and physical examination to check that you have no signs of recurrence. People often find it extremely stressful time whilst they wait for their scan results. This is a very normal feeling. The results usually take ten days to come back. The consultant will discuss the results with you at your next clinic appointment or may even write to you. If you are feeling very concerned please do not hesitate to contact your specialist nurse.

Unfortunately sometimes your kidney cancer can come back. This may either be a local recurrence (ie come back where the cancer orignially started) or as a metastasis (cancer that spreads to a different part of the body). You will have regular scans and your doctor will be able to explain where the cancer has come back and what treatment you require.

If you have any symptoms that are new or you are concerned we want you to contact us or your GP immediately to discuss them.

gemma_crane

gemma_crane

Palliative Care

Your doctor or specialist nurse may during your treatment suggest that he/she refers you to the Palliative Care team. This can be for a number or reasons and is nothing to be concerned about.

The traditional role of the team was to provide support and advice for patients and their families at the end of a person's life. However, now they have a vital role and are certainly worth meeting a long time before a person has reached the terminal stage. They are exceptionally useful in terms of symptom control and can assist with pain and nausea. They can also help you and your family to come to terms with your diagnosis, prognosis and disease recurrence. They provide emotional support both in the hospital and in the community. It is important to build a relationship with your Macmillan Nurse early.

gemma_crane

gemma_crane

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