Bad news, good timing
We drove up to Manchester yesterday for Quent's scan, expecting the five year all clear.
Unfortunately it was not to be. They have found a nodule (lump) on his adrenal gland. There is a small chance it might be a (benign) adenoma, although it seems to be growing too fast for this. An MRI scan might be able to show if it's an adenoma.
There is a chance it is a new cancer, but Prof thinks the most likely is that it's a metastasis from the kidney cancer; present since the IL2 treatment, but only now becoming large enough to be spotted. Apparently it's common for adrenal glands not to respond as well as lungs to IL2.
The preferred course of action would be to do an MRI and, assuming it's malignant, to then remove the adrenal gland, situated next to Sidney the remaining kidney. Quent would then have to take hydrocortisone tablets 3 times a day to compensate for not having any adrenal glands. (They removed the other one when the left kidney came out in 2006). Easy.
Or maybe not. The adrenal gland produces cortisol and adrenalin - crucial for keeping your blood pressure up. The hydrocortisone tablets would give Quent 'normal' levels, but his body would not be able to produce extra amounts in cases of extreme stress.... such as the anaphalysis he suffered in September (reaction to wasp allergy).
The Prof says that whereas Quent would be taking 20 / 10 / 5 units of hydrocortisol, in the event of an anaphylactic reaction, he'd probably be needing 50 - 100. We need Quent desensitised fast!
The good news:
1. That they found this just in time, before giving Quent the 5 year 'all clear'. Quent will now be back onto 3 monthly scans, which is not great, but is better than not knowing.
2. That they didn't find it last time and remove the adrenal gland before September. If that had happened, Quent's wasp sting would probably have been fatal, as he had no epipen and his body would not have been able to cope.
3. That he had the wasp sting in September, so we know what we're dealing with and he now has an epipen. (a shot of adrenalin).
We now need to understand what the best course of action is, in terms of desensitising vs. operation to remove the gland (and even if the Royal Brompton will be willing to desensitise, now they know the cancer is back). We will keep you posted.
Unfortunately it was not to be. They have found a nodule (lump) on his adrenal gland. There is a small chance it might be a (benign) adenoma, although it seems to be growing too fast for this. An MRI scan might be able to show if it's an adenoma.
There is a chance it is a new cancer, but Prof thinks the most likely is that it's a metastasis from the kidney cancer; present since the IL2 treatment, but only now becoming large enough to be spotted. Apparently it's common for adrenal glands not to respond as well as lungs to IL2.
The preferred course of action would be to do an MRI and, assuming it's malignant, to then remove the adrenal gland, situated next to Sidney the remaining kidney. Quent would then have to take hydrocortisone tablets 3 times a day to compensate for not having any adrenal glands. (They removed the other one when the left kidney came out in 2006). Easy.
Or maybe not. The adrenal gland produces cortisol and adrenalin - crucial for keeping your blood pressure up. The hydrocortisone tablets would give Quent 'normal' levels, but his body would not be able to produce extra amounts in cases of extreme stress.... such as the anaphalysis he suffered in September (reaction to wasp allergy).
The Prof says that whereas Quent would be taking 20 / 10 / 5 units of hydrocortisol, in the event of an anaphylactic reaction, he'd probably be needing 50 - 100. We need Quent desensitised fast!
The good news:
1. That they found this just in time, before giving Quent the 5 year 'all clear'. Quent will now be back onto 3 monthly scans, which is not great, but is better than not knowing.
2. That they didn't find it last time and remove the adrenal gland before September. If that had happened, Quent's wasp sting would probably have been fatal, as he had no epipen and his body would not have been able to cope.
3. That he had the wasp sting in September, so we know what we're dealing with and he now has an epipen. (a shot of adrenalin).
We now need to understand what the best course of action is, in terms of desensitising vs. operation to remove the gland (and even if the Royal Brompton will be willing to desensitise, now they know the cancer is back). We will keep you posted.
posted by Helen at 3/18/2014 11:16:00 am
4 Comments:
I hope Quent now has the epipen gaffer taped to his thigh...
Sorry to hear the bad news but encouraged by the good news. Keep us posted. B x
Not often a wasp sting can be useful. We'll be thinking of you and sending lots of positive thoughts. Lots of love, Jenny and Tim xxx
Thinking of you guys, stay positive, all will be good Q. Take care, Rich
Saw Lorna yesterday, who gave me a brief update on Q. Sorry it's not the news we'd all hoped for. I guess It's not often one desires a desensitised man, but this is what we'll be praying for. Plus of course, a positive way forward. Love from Alison & Elias x
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