John's CT results show that the swollen lymph nodes under his liver are essentially the same size. So, John will have the laparoscopic surgery to remove his right kidney instead of the more invasive surgery to also sample a swollen node.
Finding out that the lymph nodes have not grown is the final factor in John's decision to go with laparoscopic surgery. Other factors include: 1) kidney cancer typically does not go to these lymph nodes, 2) the swollen nodes are in a "treacherous" area, 3) there's only a 50% chance that the surgeon can safely sample a node, and 4) the chevron incision requires a much longer recovery period.
By not sampling a swollen lymph node John will not know if the cancer has spread, nor will he qualify for most of the clinical trials.
With this change, the urologist needs to get a different surgeon to assist him. If she isn't available on Tuesday, they may postpone the surgery for a few days.
In addition to getting the CT scan today, John also had his pre-op visit at the hospital. Afterward, we watched the Harry Potter movie and enjoyed a Mexican dinner ... yum!
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