For patients with kidney cancer, evaluation of an unrelated symptom can sometimes lead to a chance diagnosis. For Francisco Sabin, this was frequent urination at night that led him to his primary care doctor. His doctor then referred him to a urologist whose thorough evaluation led to the diagnosis of a large kidney mass, and ultimately saved his life. The cancer was found to be not only advanced and fast-growing, but it was growing out of the kidney and into a major blood vessel. Mr. Sabin was referred to Dr. Patrick Kenney, an Associate Professor of Urology at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center, who performed a robotic radical nephrectomy (surgical removal of the kidney).
Dr. Kenney commented, “Kidney cancers that grow into the vein draining the kidney, as was the case with Mr. Sabin, can be a daunting condition to treat and often require highly complex surgery. Yale is one of the few centers nationally where this type of surgery is done robotically. Patients recover well with lower risk of bleeding, lower risk of infection, less pain, and a faster recovery to good health."
Following the surgery, Mr. Sabin met with medical oncologist Dr. David Braun who is an Assistant Professor of Medicine (Medical Oncology) and the Louis Goodman and Alfred Gilman Yale Scholar, and the principal investigator of a laboratory that studies kidney cancer. Dr. Braun prescribed an immunotherapy treatment known as KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) to reduce the risk of recurrence by reinvigorating the immune system to target any remaining cancer cells. Despite the development of a rash related to the immunotherapy (psoriasis), Mr. Sabin was able to receive treatment and currently has no sign of disease.
Try to help yourself as much as possible; exercise, eat right, ask questions. Also, make sure to laugh, a lot, because without humor I would have been miserable, but I still would have had cancer, and what’s the point in that?
Mr. Sabin
Originally from Cuba, Mr. Sabin has always been an avid traveler and has no plans of stopping any time soon. After an upcoming cruise to the Caribbean, he will be undertaking a 21-day “In the Wake of the Vikings” cruise, and recently traveled to Spain. At 83 years old, also on is bucket list is to see a great grandchild born (he has 8 grandchildren).
“At my age you never know what you’re going to get, and I will take as many extra years as I can,” said Mr. Sabin. “I will continue to make the most of each day and spend it doing what I love with the people I love. My family is happy and healthy, and in my eyes, that has made me a millionaire a hundred times over.”
While he is still dealing with the effects of psoriasis, he is working closely with Dr. Jonathan Leventhal, Director of the Onco-Dermatology Clinic at Smilow Cancer Hospital, to help manage symptoms, as well as his dermatologist Dr. Leon Luck. He has been prescribed the medicine Skyrizi and has received two injections so far. Mr. Sabin’s case highlights the importance of true multidisciplinary care from urology, to medical oncology, to dermatology. He commented that had they waited any longer for the surgery, Dr. Kenney would not have been able to safely perform it. “My cancer was growing that fast, and without that surgery my future would be a lot different. I am so grateful for the expert care that I received,” said Mr. Sabin.
Dr. Braun commented that Mr. Sabin’s response and prognosis is promising. “Kidney cancer is an immunotherapy-responsive cancer and the management of advanced-stage disease has been transformed by the development of immune-checkpoint inhibitors.”
“I always went through life thinking I had zero talents, I can’t sing or play any instrument,” remarked Mr. Sabin. “But I discovered late in life that I do have a talent, I am able to maintain a positive attitude in the face of hardship. That helps a lot when you are hit by cancer. My wife was diagnosed with anal cancer six months after my surgery and that was truly humbling. Luckily she is now in remission. My advice for others is ‘pray that you’re lucky.’ God is busy. Try to help yourself as much as possible; exercise, eat right, ask questions. Also, make sure to laugh, a lot, because without humor I would have been miserable, but I still would have had cancer, and what’s the point in that?”