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What Does "loss Of Fat Plane Between Tumor And Right Kidney" Mean?

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Posted on Thu, 27 Mar 2014
Twitter Thu, 27 Mar 2014 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 16 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on
Question : Hi my dad had surgery yest for colon cancer . Tumor removed and dr said a little bit (1/4) of kidney removed from bottom.does this mean kidney invasion by tumor? I'm still confussed. The initial ct report stated loss of fat plane between tumor and right kidney and increased contact between tumor and kidney -t4?
doctor
Answered by Dr. K. Harish (26 minutes later)
Brief Answer: possible Detailed Answer: The initial report on CT scan has stated that there is a loss of fat plane between kidney and colon. Some part of kindey has also been removed at surgery. When a CT scan shows loss of fat plane between kidney and colon and at surgery if the surgeon feel that the mass is in conituity with kidney, the surgery done is appropriate. The question is "is the kidney involved by the tumor?". By CT scan and at surgery there is no way of answering your question. The possibility is there. In such situations, studies have shown that in half the cases there would be acutal invasion of tumor into the adjacent organ and in the other half it would only be inflammation and NOT acutal involvement. However, there is NO way this could be known beforehand. Hence it is always recommended to remove a part or whole of the adjacent organ as deemed necessary. Hence, the surgery performed is appropriate. Only the final histopathology report will throw light on this issue and if it shows invasion of kidney, then kidney is involved otherwise not.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. K. Harish (6 minutes later)
Thx alot . The dr did say it was close - did not say was actually touching theregore they renived slighlty . But the ct scan of kidney shows normal in feb. If kidney was invaded would scan not be abnormal? Even if was invasion so long as they have cut thst part out would my dad still be safe? I have attached ct report
doctor
Answered by Dr. K. Harish (8 minutes later)
Brief Answer: safe Detailed Answer: The scan shows loss of fat plane. I would again say that in that situation some part of kidney needs to be removed whether invloved or not. An abnormal scan would be there when part or whole kindey is involved in which case there was no scope for part removal of kidney. Part or whole removal of one kidney is safe. No need to worry.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. K. Harish (5 minutes later)
Ok.no I meant if bit kidney was invaded but no spread to distant organs wat the prognosis would be like? It would then be a t4 tumor right? Although they said tumor was removed successfully yest, would cancer cells have already sneaked out and floating around body which then end up in lungs, liver etc as Mets? That's my main worry
doctor
Answered by Dr. K. Harish (2 minutes later)
Brief Answer: cant say Detailed Answer: I think we should discuss once the pathology report is available. Any discussion prior to that would be speculative.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. K. Harish (4 minutes later)
Ok yea ur right best wait for report. Can u just advise that in ct report wat the radiologist has said about lymph nodes ? I didnt quite undetstand
doctor
Answered by Dr. K. Harish (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer: nodes Detailed Answer: It says small volume nodes are seen. Cannot comment on that. But the chances of spread to nodes would be less. Again I would advise you to wait for the final pathology report. These images are like shadows, they are only a guide to the treating doctor. The ultimate answer is the pathology report
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. K. Harish (6 minutes later)
Yes u are right il wait for the report them. Y u sau chances of spread to nodes are less?
doctor
Answered by Dr. K. Harish (1 minute later)
Brief Answer: yes Detailed Answer: yes
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. K. Harish (4 minutes later)
Why are chances of spread less to the nodes? Is it because they dont say enlarged nodes?
doctor
Answered by Dr. K. Harish (1 minute later)
Brief Answer: please wait Detailed Answer: Please wait for pathology report
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. K. Harish

Oncologist, Surgical

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What Does "loss Of Fat Plane Between Tumor And Right Kidney" Mean?

Brief Answer: possible Detailed Answer: The initial report on CT scan has stated that there is a loss of fat plane between kidney and colon. Some part of kindey has also been removed at surgery. When a CT scan shows loss of fat plane between kidney and colon and at surgery if the surgeon feel that the mass is in conituity with kidney, the surgery done is appropriate. The question is "is the kidney involved by the tumor?". By CT scan and at surgery there is no way of answering your question. The possibility is there. In such situations, studies have shown that in half the cases there would be acutal invasion of tumor into the adjacent organ and in the other half it would only be inflammation and NOT acutal involvement. However, there is NO way this could be known beforehand. Hence it is always recommended to remove a part or whole of the adjacent organ as deemed necessary. Hence, the surgery performed is appropriate. Only the final histopathology report will throw light on this issue and if it shows invasion of kidney, then kidney is involved otherwise not.