Imagine this: You go to the doctor for an upset stomach, and a CT scan reveals a large tumor on your kidney. The truth is, most kidney cancers are found like that, during tests for other issues. That’s because these tumors often don’t cause symptoms.
Ganella Anderson had a tumor the size of a football and didn’t even know it. “That tumor could have been there for 10 years and I had no idea,” she said. “It was a storm my family and I had to go through. I’ve always been healthy. Never had problems. We had an ideal life.”
Anderson’s tumor was the size of a football. Surviving cancer has made her grateful for every day, every moment. “God was good to me,” she commented.
Mayo Clinic urology Dr. Bradley Leibovich led Anderson’s surgical team, which also included pancreas and colon specialists. That’s because the large tumor was infringing on those organs. During surgery they removed the tumor and entire left kidney. They also removed part of the colon and repaired what remained.
“The fantastic thing about Mrs. Anderson’s case is that it was two years ago, and she’s had no further treatment,” Leibovich said.
“She’s had no evidence of recurrence of her cancer. And we haven’t had to do anything other than the surgery itself.”
“I’ve been given a second chance to live and enjoy a full life,” Anderson stated.
The American Cancer Society estimates 57,000 Americans will be diagnosed with kidney cancer this year. More than 12,000 people will die from the disease.
