Caris LeVert had successful surgery to treat Renal Cell Carcinoma (cancer)

Submitted by RedPandaCmmanda on January 26th, 2021 at 2:16 PM

Caris LeVert had successful surgery to treat renal cell carcinoma (a common form of kidney cancer) as per a tweet by the Pacers. He is expected to make a full recovery.

https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/1354142081665667074?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

Sucks it was cancer, but sounds like good news overall. 

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samsoccer7

January 26th, 2021 at 2:22 PM ^

Of the different cancers to get, a small RCC is not the worst.  It can be treated definitively and if small like in this case can probably save most of that kidney.  Wish it was not cancer but overall he should be fine.

Joined: 07/08/2008

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MGoStretch

January 26th, 2021 at 7:48 PM ^

Yo, this is just a semi-educated guess because so much of it will depend on the size of what they found and how they had to approach resecting it (partial versus total removal of the kidney).  Also, I'm not a surgeon but care for a lot of patients who get pretty invasive oncology surgeries and I'd hazard a guess he'd be back on the court with in a couple months, probably doing light conditioning before that.

Joined: 03/20/2015

MGoPoints: 8630

Baloo_Dance

January 26th, 2021 at 2:28 PM ^

Hope it turns out not to be. 
 

I had a similar story a couple years ago, 75-80 percent cancerous, had surgery to remove it, turned out not to be cancer.  Hoping for the same for Caris. 

Joined: 06/07/2010

MGoPoints: 1101

Michigasling

January 27th, 2021 at 12:02 AM ^

Just listened to the sports report on NYC's Channel 4 news, and longtime sports anchor Bruce Beck ended his broadcast with a huge loving smile as he reported the good news, saying (and showing) how much Caris is loved, and always will be loved by Nets fans, and of course adding that if it weren't for the trade he might not have found out until it was too late.  All while keeping that big warm grin to show how much he's still loved here and will be eagerly watching him play (even if for the other guys).

Joined: 11/21/2009

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LabattsBleu

January 26th, 2021 at 2:29 PM ^

lucky he got traded! not sure what the yearly medicals are like for roster players, but the Pacers probably went the extra mile to verify Caris' health was 100%

glad they caught this early

Joined: 10/06/2012

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Grampy

January 26th, 2021 at 11:47 PM ^

I am so happy for Caris and his loved ones. It’s  a hard thing to experience. One of the good things to come out of the quantum advances in molecular biology from throwing bales of research money at COVID-19 will be taking the  cancer fight to the beast directly. mRNA isn’t just for viruses. 

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samsoccer7

January 26th, 2021 at 3:02 PM ^

You're probably only half-joking, but CTs and MRIs have lots of specific protocols when looking for certain specific things.  A whole body CT scan with contrast is probably the best "screening" tool but even then the timing or phase of the contrast can cause certain tumors or whatever to be missed.  BUT it's also radiation so there is a very complex risk-benefit ratio plus add in things that you won't see in a certain phase and the costs of healthcare and you can see why it's not done regularly as a screening tool.

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MGoStretch

January 26th, 2021 at 7:42 PM ^

Not to mention the possibility of discovering an incidental-oma that either requires an invasive biopsy or sitting around nervously waiting for a followup scan (that will come with yet more radiation, as you astutely mentioned).  Don't feel too bad about missing out on regular full body imaging UPMichigan, you might be better off not knowing (though in this instance, amazingly fortunate for Caris, can't wait to see him back on the court).

Joined: 03/20/2015

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matty blue

January 26th, 2021 at 4:22 PM ^

jesus, i honestly can't think of a single athlete that's had a longer run of bad luck in terms of injuries and illness.

i'm not kidding.  i can't think of anyone.

i'm really glad they caught it early.

Joined: 08/01/2008

MGoPoints: 39202

goldenmug8

January 26th, 2021 at 4:28 PM ^

I would be curious why they did an MRI in the first place. Is a scan standard for these pro-sport physicals or I wonder if he had a lab which was off, with RCC can cause. 

It's so rare to find RCC in a young otherwise healthy male like Caris, just one of those freak luck of the draws. Glad the surgery went successfully and hopefully should have a full recovery.

Joined: 03/23/2010

MGoPoints: 447

ottomatic

January 26th, 2021 at 4:58 PM ^

I'm a renal cancer survivor coming up on twenty years cancer free (and down 1 kidney). The advice I got post-op was no kick boxing or moto-x - which was the urologist telling me to take care of my one remaining kidney.

Joined: 01/12/2011

MGoPoints: 1302

UWSBlue

January 26th, 2021 at 7:22 PM ^

Excellent news. I'm not a doctor and I didn't sleep at a Holiday Inn last night but I hope he doesn't play again until after the global Covid threat has been mitigated. #NegAway

Joined: 08/11/2012

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