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KidneyCouch is an online support group for kidney cancer patients and/or patients with chronic kidney disease. KidneyCouch website is a library of related links and educational material for patients and family members. KidneyCouch © Copyright STRENGTH in UNITY At KidneyCouch, we are dedicated to providing a supportive and informative space for kidney cancer patients and those who are also dealing with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Access valuable resources, stories, and articles that can make a difference in your journey. CONNECTIONS KidneyCouch Podcast Resource Library About the Couch ABOUT KidneyCouch KidneyCouch is committed to offering support and information to individuals battling kidney cancer and/or chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our goal is to create a community that fosters connection, understanding, and empowerment for patients and their loved ones. Through resource links, stories, and articles, we aim to provide helpful insights and education so that you are better informed in discussing your kidney cancer and chronic kidney disease with your physician. Always consult your physician before making any medical decisions. Friends Around the Couch KidneyCouch gives recognition and appreciation to the following organizations and their efforts to address kidney cancer and chronic kidney disease. Urology Care Foundation Kidney Cancer Association National Kidney Foundation American Cancer Society Imerman Angels The Patient Story Cancer Interviews INSPIRING STORIES Read Now Purpose of This Site This website was developed and is maintained for the sole purpose of providing a "Library" of resources for patients dealing with kidney cancer, chronic kidney disease, or kidney stones. There is no fundraising, sponsors, or business activities of any kind. The information included on this website is for informational purposes only. This site does not provide medical advice.

KidneyCouch resource library for kidney cancer and chronic kidney disease. Empowering Patients Get informed. This website is crafted to provide links to educational resources, inspirational stories, and informative articles to help those navigating the challenges of kidney cancer and/or chronic kidney disease. The resources provided on this website are informational and educational only and not an endorsement of their content. Each patient needs to discuss their individual circumstances with their medical provider. KidneyCouch is here to uplift and empower you in your journey with kidney cancer. Stay informed, connected, and supported. Hopefully you will find the resources and testimonials helpful. Anatomy Basics Image by Adobe Stock, July 14, 2023 Kidney Anatomy, Wikipedia Illustration by A. Hoofring, 2007 The Library is Open The resources in this library are just a sampling of those accessible at your fingertips. Kidney Cancer Chronic Kidney Disease Kidney Stones Prognostic Models General Diet

KidneyCouch Podcast - Around the Couch

March is Kidney Disease Awareness Month The color ribbon for Kidney Cancer is orange. For Chronic Kidney Disease, it is green. ORANGE UP! The month of March is Kidney Cancer Awareness month. Light up the outside lights of your house, ask City leaders to light up a prominent structure, or simply wear an orange ribbon to bring awareness to kidney cancer. Kidney Cancer Awareness Association - Orange Up Plummer Building The Plummer Building, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, lit up in orange in March 2024. Friends of Stonehedge Waterfall The Friends of Stonehedge Waterfall, Rochester, MN, was lit up in orange in the month of March 2024 to bring awareness to kidney cancer. Each March going forward the waterfall will be glowing orange. Throughout the year, the Stonehedge Waterfall is lit up in different colors for cancer awareness and other causes. In April, the colors are green and blue for National Donate Life Month, honoring individuals who donate organs to others. What a great way to bring awareness and honor to these causes and menaces. There are 57 common cancer ribbon colors. Shout out to the Orange and Green! GREEN UP! March is also Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Awareness month. Green is the ribbon color to bring awareness. University of New Mexico Celebrates Green

General information regarding kidney cancer, chronic kidney disease, kidney stones, diet. Kidney Cancer - General Information The Basics About Kidney Cancer What You Need to Know NCCN Guidelines - Patient Kidney Cancer Treatments Types of Kidney Surgery Type - Stage - Grade Kidney Cancer Stages Types and Grades Types - AUA Basics Treatment / Surveillance Active Surveillance Follow Up for Kidney Cancer NCCN Treatment Details RCC Follow Up (pdf) - AUA Follow Up Guidelines - EAU Predicting Outcomes in RCC Find a Physician These are several links about providers or where to seek care for kidney cancer diagnosis and treatment. The sources are provided for informational and educational purposes only and not a recommendation from KidneyCouch. Finding Cancer Care - National Cancer Institute Treatment Center Finder - Kidney Cancer Association Best Hospitals for Cancer - U.S. News & World Report To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Kidney Cancer Prognosis and Outcomes The Basics Understanding Cancer Prognosis Kidney Cancer - MD Anderson Survival Rates for Kidney Cancer Cancer Survival Rate Explained Frequently Asked Questions T1Renal Masses - MUSIC Urology Cancer Survival Rates - What it Means for Your Prognosis Prognostic Models Predicting Outcomes in RCC Kidney Cancer Nomogram - MSK Cancer Prediction Tools - A Few Leibovich 2018 Model Leibovich 2018 Model Calc. Prognostic Factors - EAU Head-to-Head Comparison of Prognostic Models Non-Mets Chromophobe RCC Publications Prediction Models After Radical Nephrectomy Postoperative Prognostic Model Surveillance Strategies for RCC Comparison of Prognostic Models Prognostic Model Scoring System Optimal Scoring System? Machine Learning Datasets Cancer Survival: An Overview of Measures, Uses, and Interpretation Prognostic Models - Comparison of factors included in a few models. Not all prognostic (predictive) models for kidney cancer recurrence or overall survival use the same clinical criteria. The information below builds on the study "Post nephrectomy management of localized renal cell carcinoma. From risk stratification to therapeutic evidence in an evolving clinical scenario.", April 2023, by Dr. Chiara Ciccarese (researcher at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and Oncologist at Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS. Rome, Italy) and colleagues. Using this work, I build upon the model as well as entered my clinical case through each model for comparison of predicted outcomes. The models included in the analysis are designed for post-nephrectomy (partial or radical) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) of the three most common subtypes - clear cell, papillary, and chromophobe. As pointed out in the literature, physicians / scientists in the medical field have developed prognostic models to improve the ability to predict accurately the outcome for patients who are treated surgically for RCC since 2001 (or earlier). Prognostic algorithms can be used to counsel patients, determine the need for adjuvant therapy, stratify patients for clinical trials, and develop appropriate postoperative surveillance programs that are tailored to a patient's risk for disease progression. [1] It needs to be stressed that calculations from any prognostic model is an average based on studies conducted to-date, are usually based on data that is at least five years old and does not take into account advances in treatment or changes in general, an individual's overall health, lifestyle, environmental factors, etc. When using a prognostic nomogram, the calculations for your predicted cancer recurrence or overall survival are not specific to you. They are averages based on similar patients that have been included in a database. That being said, many kidney cancer patients like me, want a more informed prediction of RCC recurrence and overall life expectancy rather than none at all. Physicians / medical centers that utilize data from prognostic models that have been validated by research studies in addition to the physicians' ongoing experience in treating patients and their outcomes, helps to inform regarding the ongoing accuracy of the existing prognostic models in the treatment recommendations for a patient's unique clinical presentation. The models will continue to advance as the science in the medical field does - with the discovery of new biomarkers, molecular features, gene and expression profiling, etc.[2] Post Nephrectomy Prognostic Models - Criteria Included in Selected Models Comparison of Predicted Results for My Clinical Situation - Jeff Kallis Details of My Prognostic Results Prognostic Models - Survival Rates Explained - NIH [1] A Review of Prognostic Pathologic Features and Algorithms for Patients Treated Surgically for Renal Cell Carcinoma, Christine M. Lohse MS, John C. Cheville MD, Clinics In Lab Medicine, June 2005, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272271205000144 [2] Prognostic factors in renal cell carcinoma, Alessandro Volpe 1 , Jean Jacques Patard , World J Urol, June 2010, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20364259/

Active surveillance of kidney cancer before or after a nephrectomy is critical. Surveillance - After Nephrectomy Clear cell, renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patient's that have a partial or radical nephrectomy are usually followed up under a surveillance program based on their individual case. General guidelines, such as those outlined by Dr. Brad Leibovich, Mayo Clinic, serve as recommendations for physicians to follow patients who have had a nephrectomy, monitoring the patient for any recurrence of renal cancer. Dr. Leibovich and his team developed the Progression-Free Survival Score to classify patient's as low, medium, and high risk for recurrence. Patient Classification* The Leibovich Model recommends imaging / follow up for all patient classifications at 3 months post-surgery to check for recurrence as well as establish a new baseline for the patient for comparison against future imaging / testing. The higher the risk a patient is for recurrence, the more frequent are the intervals for ongoing testing. Stage I and II (Low Risk) 3 months post op CT or MRI with contrast of abdomen Chest x-ray Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) then, Annually for 5 years after surgery (same testing as above) then, > 5 years Renal ultrasound Chest x-ray at clinical discretion Stage III (Intermediate Risk) 3 months post op CT or MRI with contrast of abdomen/pelvis Chest x-ray or CT Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) then, 6 month intervals for 3 years (same testing as above) then, >3 years - Annually (same testing as above) then, > 5 years - Patient Specific Based on individual patient's case / history Stage IV (High Risk) 3 months post op CT or MRI with contrast of abdomen/pelvis Chest x-ray or CT Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) then, 4 month intervals for 2 years (same testing as above) then, >2 years at 6 month intervals (years 3 to 5 after surgery) (same testing as above) then, > 5 years - Annually (same testing as above) *Based on published Mayo Clinic risk score (Leibovich BC, Cancer 2003;97:1663-1671) National Comprehensive Cancer Network Kidney Cancer Guidelines The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) is a not-for-profit alliance of 33 leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education. The NCCN develops resources that present valuable information to stakeholders in health care. Part of their mission is creating clinical practice guidelines appropriate for use by patients, clinicians, and other health care decision-makers. One of the guidelines is the recommended treatment for patients with kidney cancer. The most recent Kidney Cancer Treatment Guidelines (March 2025) can be viewed on the NCCN website in pdf format. These guidelines are detailed and extensive. Well worth your time and attention if you want to understand the details of the management and treatment guidelines for kidney cancer at all stages. An important note is that the guidelines are just that - guidelines. No single follow-up plan is appropriate (fits) all patients. Management should be individualized based on each patient's unique medical condition and other contributing factors.

Stages of kidney cancer. Kidney Cancer Staging The staging system most often used for kidney cancer is the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM system. The TNM system is based on 3 key pieces of information: The size and extent of the main (primary) tumor (T): How large is the tumor? Has it has grown into nearby areas? The spread to nearby lymph nodes (N): Has the cancer spread to nearby lymph nodes? The spread (metastasis) to distant sites (M): Has the cancer spread to other organs such as the bones, brain, or lungs? The stages of kidney cancer range from I (1) through IV (4). The lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. A higher number, such as stage IV, means cancer has spread more. [1] T1 T2 T3 T4 Kidney Purpose The main functions of the kidneys are to clean the blood, balance fluids, remove waste through urine, keep chemicals and electrolytes in balance, make hormones for a stable blood pressure, make red blood cells, and keep our bones strong. [2] © Copyright © Copyright Kidney Cancer Stages Descriptions by American Urological Association and American Cancer Society The "T" in the TNM system is the size of the main (primary) tumor and whether it has grown into nearby areas. © Copyright T1 Tumor Stage I tumors include cancers of any size that are confined to the kidney. Characteristics of T1 tumors: • T1: Tumor 7.0 cm (about 2.8 inches) or less, confined to the kidney • T1a: Tumor 4.0 cm (about 1.6 inches) or less, confined to the kidney • T1b: Tumor 4.0 to 7.0 cm, confined to the kidney © Copyright T2 Tumor Stage II tumors include cancers of any size that are confined to the kidney. Characteristics of T2 tumors: • T2: Tumor greater than 7.0 cm, confined to kidney • T2a: Tumor greater than 7.0 cm and less than 10.0 cm, confined to the kidney • T2b: Tumor greater than 10 cm (about 3.9 inches), confined to the kidney © Copyright T3 Tumor Stage III tumors are either locally invasive (T3) or involve lymph nodes. Characteristics of T3 tumors: The tumor can be any size, but it has not grown outside the kidney. The cancer may have spread to nearby lymph nodes but has not spread to distant lymph nodes or other organs. Tumor grows into major veins (renal vein or the inferior vena cava) or into tissue around the kidney, but not into the adrenal gland and not beyond Gerota’s fascia © Copyright T4 Tumor Stage IV tumors have spread beyond the kidney into organs nearby (T4) or distant (beyond the kidney) metastases. Characteristics of T4 tumors: • The tumor can be any size and may have grown outside the kidney. The tumor may or may not have spread to nearby lymph nodes. The tumor has spread to distant lymph nodes and/or other organs. Tumor reaches beyond Gerota’s fascia (including the adrenal gland). This is not a localized tumor. Kidney Cancer Close Up © Copyright Credits - To the American Urological Association and the American Cancer Society for the descriptions on this page. All of the information is copyright protected. [1] Kidney Cancer Stages American Cancer Society [2] Kidney Cancer Patient Guide American Urological Association (pdf) Kidney Health Basics Urology Care Foundation, American Urological Association (pdf) [3] Kidney Illustrations by iStock See also: Stages of Renal Cell Cancer - Includes Illustrations from the National Cancer Institute

Kidney Cancer The Basics Kidney Overview What is Kidney Cancer? General Information about RCC NCCN Patient Guide Kidney Cancer Patient Guide Your Kidneys and Kidney Cancer Types - Illustrations Types and Grades Kidney Cancer Stages Kidney Cancer Staging What is a Renal Mass? Video What You Need to Know Specifics Kidney External Structure Anatomy of the Kidney Kidney Cancer Explained - EAU Kidney Cancer Treatments How is Kidney Cancer Treated? Treatment Options - Small Tumor NCCN Treatment Guidelines Advances in Treatment Roadmap - T1 Masses - MUSIC Genetic Testing Nephrectomy - EAU Robot-Assisted Partial - EAU Combination Immunotherapy Immunotherapy Infographic Statistics Kidney Cancer Statistics 2025 Cancer Stats at a Glance Kidney Cancer Stat Facts U.S. - Cancer Profiles by State Global Epidemiology Fast Facts Publications Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Immunotherapy for Kidney Cancer Kidney Cancer Research - NCI Kidney Cancer Journal - KCA Kidney Cancer - Sage NCCN Guidelines (pdf) Kidney Cancer - Progress in Treating Renal Mass and Localized Cancer Kidney Cancer Research - KCA General Topics Emotions and Cancer Find a Kidney Cancer Specialist Just Diagnosed Toolkit - KCA Treatment Center Finder - KCA Healthy Living Cookbook - Urology What You Should Know Renal Cell Cancer Treatment Kidney Cancer Resources Kidney Biopsy Overview of Kidney Biopsies Kidney Biopsy Explained Kidney Biopsy Indications - youtube Kidney Biopsy Basics 4 Things to Know What to Know - Kidney Biopsy Kidney Biopsy Details

Following the proper diet is critical for your kidney health. Kidney Friendly Diets Illustration by wellness.rice.edu Kidney Diet Links Eating healthy benefits you in many ways, one of which is your kidneys. These are just a few eating tips to check out. Mediterranean Diet Best Foods for Kidney Diet Eating Right for Chronic Kidney Disease Kidney Friendly Diet Kidney Diet Recipes Kidney Health Diet - Basics Eat Well Diet Example - Jeff Kallis's Diet Healthy habits include not sitting on the couch all day. Unless you're sitting around the couch with us!

Get one-on-one support with a mentor at Imerman Angels. One-on-One Support for patients and family members KidneyCouch and Imerman Angels are committed to providing patients and family members with the resources and connections so that no one walks alone as they deal with a kidney cancer diagnosis. One-on-One support is at the heart of the mission of Imerman Angels. KidneyCouch is proud to partner with Imerman Angels to ensure that patients and family members with kidney cancer have access to one-on-one support. Whether you are a patient who is newly diagnosed with kidney cancer; are in the early stages of treatment; need a shoulder to lean on in dealing with cancer; or you are a family member and need support, Imerman Angels has a network of mentors that would love to connect with you. Individuals with kidney cancer who would like to receive one-on-one support will undergo a personalized matching process and be paired up with someone who has a similar diagnosis and experiences. Our hope is that peer-to-peer exchanges will facilitate positive relationships between individuals affected by kidney cancer so that they may share emotional support, encouragement, and information. Also, if you are a kidney cancer patient and would like to become an Imerman Mentor Angel, Imerman Angels would love to visit with you about joining their mentor angels team. How to Partner with Imerman Angels Find a Mentor If you are interested in finding a one-on-one support mentor, you will be asked to fill out an initial registration application and select the type of mentor you would like to be matched up with. Imerman Angels will match you and a mentor according to age, gender, cancer type and experience; so you know you are talking to someone who truly understands what you’re going through, in a supportive and empathetic environment. Any information shared will be kept confidential between Imerman Angels and the assigned mentor. Become a Mentor If you are a kidney cancer patient and would like to become a mentor, you must complete a profile detailing your cancer experiences. After initial screening and training, Imerman Angels will add your name to the list of mentors in their database network and contact you when someone with your shared experiences registers to request a one-on-0ne support mentor. This a great opportunity to "give back" to the kidney cancer community by helping others navigate the cancer journey. Find A Mentor Angel Become A Mentor Angel About Imerman Angels Imerman Angels was created on the belief that no one should have to face cancer alone and without the necessary support. Their mission is to provide personalized connections that enable one-on-one support among cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and previvors. Through their unique matching process, Imerman Angels partners anyone, any age, anywhere, and any cancer type seeking support from someone with a similar diagnosis and experiences—a “Mentor Angel.” Get in touch with the Imerman Angels to connect you with a one-on-one mentor: https://imermanangels.org/find-mentor-angel/ Imerman Angels - Contact Information https://imermanangels.org/contact/

Educational links and resources for patients and family members who are dealing with kidney cancer and chronic kidney disease. KidneyCouch Interactive © Copyright Are you or a loved one currently dealing with kidney disease and in need of support and connection to interactive tools and engagement? Look no further than KidneyCouch Interactive. To further enrich the user experience on kidneycouch.com, interactive features such as forums for discussions are planned in the future. These tools can facilitate deeper engagement among individuals dealing with kidney cancer and chronic kidney disease, fostering a sense of belonging within the community of patients dealing with similar issues. Kidney Cancer Support Groups Kidney Cancer Support Group - Mayo Clinic Kidney Cancer Information and Support Community - Kidney Cancer Association Patient Perspectives - Virtual Support Group - Kidney Cancer Association Kidney Cancer Unfiltered - Podcasts - Kidney Cancer Association Kidney Cancer Community - Smart Patients Stages1-2-3 Kidney Cancer Support Community - KCCure Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Support Group One-on-One Connection One-on-One Cancer Support Community Resource Partners Imerman Angels provides free, personalized one-on-one cancer support for cancer fighters, survivors, previvors and caregivers. The purpose of the matches made by Imerman Angels is to provide one-on-one cancer support from someone who has been there. To reach out to Imerman Angels to find a mentor for one-on-one support, go to https://imermanangels.org/find-mentor-angel/ Imerman Angels – Certification 🎉 Proud to be part of Imerman Angels! 🌟 I completed the Mentor training at Imerman Angels in June 2025 and am officially a Mentor Angel. Imerman Angels provides free one-on-one support to cancer fighters, survivors, previvors, and caregivers to ensure no one faces cancer alone. Sign up to be a Mentor or Mentee and learn more at @imermanangels or visit their website imermanangels.org Patient-Focused Tools Recent Trends in SEER Age-Adjusted Incidence Rates, 2000-2022 By Sex, Delay-adjusted SEER Incidence Rate, All Races / Ethnicities, All Ages, All Stages Quick Quiz: Kidney Cancer Take the Quiz Cancer Survivors Network Kidney Cancer cBioPortal - Cancer Genomic Data Kidney Cancer Pending Interactions This section / area of interest under development...

Check out the top kidney cancer hospitals / medical centers in the United States. U.S. News creates a list of the top hospitals in the United States, by specialty, on an annual basis. The report is usually published in the month of July each year. Here is the list of hospitals / medical centers for Kidney Cancer and Kidney Disease. U.S. News & World Report Best of the Best Best Hospitals Overall Best for Kidney Cancer Best for Kidney Disease (Failure) Last 5-Year Rankings 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020

Kidney biopsy Used with Permission of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, all rights reserved. A kidney biopsy is a diagnostic procedure that involves the removal and study of small samples of your kidney under microscope by a pathologist. It’s a way for your medical team to collect information to help diagnose or monitor the health of your kidney, such as determining the grade of a kidney tumor or the functioning of the kidney for a patient with chronic kidney disease. Kidney Biopsy Overview - What to Expect During a Kidney Biopsy Mayo Clinic Cleveland Clinic Johns Hopkins Medicine NIH - NIDDK American Kidney Fund Indication for Kidney Biopsy YouTube - Dr. A. Kishore Kumar Specifics National Kidney Foundation 4 Things to Know About Kidney Biopsies - MD Anderson Cancer Center Safety and Diagnostic Efficacy MUSIC What is MUSIC Kidney? Renal Mass Biopsy Roadmap for Patients with T1 Renal Masses Risk / Benefit Don't roll the dice. Educate yourself regarding the risks / benefits of having a kidney biopsy prior to a nephrectomy for masses between 3 cm to 7 cm. Every patient is unique. The more informed you are, the better your conversation with your physician regarding treatment options.

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My Story I published a book about my experience with kidney cancer and chronic kidney disease. Check it out on Amazon Also, see my guest post on the Kidney Cancer Association website. Follow up post - Survivorship guest post - Kidney Cancer Association. Interview with The Patient Story . KidneyCouch Overview - pdf Welcome to this site. In January 2023 I was diagnosed with kidney cancer (ccRCC, Stage 3, Grade 3). My wife and three boys have been great support and encouragement as I have ridden this roller coaster ride with white knuckles on a few unexpected turns. I found that reaching out to online kidney cancer and chronic kidney disease (CKD) support groups helped me through the first two years of this journey. After sharing my experience and listening to those of others on a few social media sites, it inspired me to create a community that places an emphasis on trusted resources to complement patient experiences. I am a firm believer that your physician should not care more about your medical needs than you do. As a person who is logical to a fault, I need data from reputable medical centers and trusted resources to provide education and understanding of kidney disease. One of the primary goals of this site is a search for the best resources to help patients discuss their healthcare options with their physicians and make informed decisions. A retired administrator from Mayo Clinic Rochester, I have experience providing administrative support and direction for the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Anatomic Pathology, Preventive Medicine, and the Emergency Department to name just a few. I never expected to be on this side of the discussion about cancer, chronic kidney disease, kidney stones. Most importantly, I am blessed with a beautiful family. I hope you find the value you are looking for in this community. Jeff Kallis Days Since My Radical Nephrectomy Introduction to Around the Couch Podcast Purpose of This Site This website was developed and is maintained for the sole purpose of providing a "Library" of resources for patients dealing with kidney cancer, chronic kidney disease, or kidney stones. There is no fundraising, sponsors, or business activities of any kind. The information included on this website is for informational purposes only. This site does not provide medical advice.