Two-time U.S. Olympic ice skater, Maia Shiboutani, 25, just announced difficult news. The skater, half of the wildly popular “Shib-Sibs,” won Bronze in the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang skating with her brother and on-ice partner, Alex.
"I got my pathology report back,” Maia wrote on Instagram this week. “The tumor that was successfully removed on Saturday was unfortunately malignant (cancer). (SDH)-deficient renal cell carcinoma.” After undergoing surgery for a tumor on her kidney in December, Maia had been using social media to update fans on her recovery.
"This wasn't the news I was hoping for, but I am beyond thankful that it was detected early and that my surgery went well. No further treatment is required at this time the next steps are for me to continue focusing on recovering and healing," she added. "All of the positive thoughts and support mean so much to me. My heart is so full. Thank you. â¤ï¸"
Her health crisis began in December while Shiboutani was visiting New York City. A stomach virus sent her to the emergency room where the tumor was discovered. She returned home to LA where she underwent surgery before Christmas, according to her Instagram reports.
“A Small Mass on My Kidney”
“I got sick and had to go to the ER while I was in New York. It ended up being a stomach virus, but they ran some tests that showed an abnormality it was recommended that I have a follow-up appointment to take a closer look," she wrote to her fans on Instagram.
"After an MRI earlier this week in LA, I was told that I had a small mass on one of my kidneys." Doctors successfully removed the tumor and, Shiboutani was “able to keep the rest of my kidney.” Her doctors have told her there is a 60/40 chance the tumor is malignant versus benign.
The pairs-skating partners were nicknamed “the Shib Sibs” during the 2018 Olympics. "We've been referred to more as 'the Shib Sibs' than 'Maia and Alex,'" says her brother Alex, who is three years old. Their paired free-dance helped Team USA capture a team-bronze in the PyeongChang games.
“I am Recovering, I am Grateful, I am Strong”
Maia has remained upbeat throughout the ordeal, sharing encouraging words in a thoughtful New Year’s Eve post. “I am recovering, I am grateful, I am strong, and I will get through this. As the sun sets on 2019, and rises in 2020, I'm still fueled by passion, pushed by desire, and inspired by the world. I want to feel, share, create, inspire, and be my best self. And I wish the same for you.”
“Appreciate every moment,” she continued, “those wanted, and those not asked for.” Clearly, Maia is finding ways to feel gratitude in the midst of her own health crisis. “Do good and do well. Give back and never give up. Keep dreaming. I will.” Since then, maiashibutani Verified, she’s shared pictures from walks in her neighborhood as she slowly recovers from suregery: “Baby steps. Feels good to be outside again. ???????? 2020”
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“When we skate to Coldplay,” Maia’s brother Alex has said, “we tell our story, dream our dream, and live in our Paradise."
Information and treatment options for kidney cancer
Kidney cancer is uncommon in people younger than age 45, according to the American Cancer Society which says the average age of diagnosis is 64. Still, certain types of kidney cancer can develop in children. In adults, the two main types of kidney cancer are renal cell cancer, and transitional cell cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Renal cell cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancerous) cells form in tubules of the kidney. Although this is probably not a factor when an Olympic athlete faces a renal cell cancer diagnosis, smoking and misuse of certain pain medicines can affect the risk of renal cell cancer.
Signs of renal cell cancer include blood in the urine, a lump in the abdomen, pain in the side that doesn't go away, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, and anemia, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Treatment for renal cell kidney cancer usually includes some combination surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. For renal cell cancer, surgery is a common treatment practice. T
Types of surgery include:
- Partial nephrectomy, a procedure to remove the cancer within the kidney and some of the tissue around it.
- A partial nephrectomy may be done to prevent loss of kidney function when the other kidney is damaged or has already been removed.
- Simple nephrectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the kidney only.
- Radical nephrectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the kidney, the adrenal gland, surrounding tissue, and, usually, nearby lymph nodes.
Transitional cell cancer of the renal pelvis and ureter is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the renal pelvis and ureter. A personal history of bladder cancer and smoking can affect the risk of transitional cell cancer of the renal pelvis and ureter. Signs and symptoms of transitional cell cancer of the renal pelvis and ureter include blood in the urine and back pain.
Kidney and renal cell pelvic cancers make up about 4.2 percent of all new cancer cases per year in the U.S., with and estimated 73,820 in 2019. These cancers account for about 2.4 percent of deaths from cancer in the U.S. with an estimated 14,770 deaths from this cancer in 2019. The five year survival rate for kidney and renal pelvis cancer is about 74.5 percent.
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