Tumor growth rate question

I had back surgery in Dec, 2006, followed by a staph infection which required another surgery in Mar. 2007. I had IV treatments after that for 6 weeks to cure the staph, but I felt recurrences several times more through the later part of last year. I just thought it was more of the staph that didn't get cured. When I'd raise up in bed, I'd feel lower abdomen discomfort, but put it down to residuals from those surgeries. This discomfort increased near the end of 2007 and in Feb. I saw my first blood. Then in late March this year the blood came on with a vengeance and I had the tumor removed right away. The Doc also said I had a blood ball maybe 3 in. in diameter, which he also removed.

So how long can these things grow undetected? In MY mind I had that thing for at least a year that I can feel, but who knows how much longer? Mine was diagnosed as being "very aggressive", but I still wonder how it could take that long to grow if it is indeed that aggressive. Or maybe the rate of development accelerated as it grew?

Dear Lost in the Fog,

This is a good question for someone much more knowledgable than I am...be patient, I'm sure someone will provide more detail. When I had my tumor removed, my doctor told me that he believed I had it growing for 18 months to two years prior to me seeing any signs. It would seem that often it is slow growing and as a result can go undetected for several years. Wishing you the best. Take care. Melodie

As I mentioned in a previous post, I was recently diagnosed with a single, 2x3, Ta1 tumor. I realize how lucky I am to find out that this was discovered at an early stage (but after the massive bleeding/clotting event that precipitated discovery, I don't FEEL lucky, but I guess it takes awhile to absorb this news). Ever since hearing the pathology report, I began to wonder how long I'd had it. Can you have these for years before you start seeing blood in your urine? Just wondering....