Robb Bruce, 53, renal cell carcinoma and sarcoidosis, Raynham, and Brad McGregor, MD, Director of Clinical Research for the Lank Center of Genitourinary Oncology, Dana-Farber

WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon

Before cancer touched Robb, it impacted his family when both his mother and father were diagnosed with the disease. In 2013, Robb’s mother was diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphoma and treated at Dana-Farber, by Dr. Philippe Armand, before passing gracefully in 2017. Three months later, Robb’s father was diagnosed with bladder cancer and began treatment with Dr. Brad McGregor at Dana-Farber as well.
· Recently, when a large mass was discovered on Robb’s kidney, he knew he wanted to receive treatment from the same doctor who cared for his father. Before coming in to see Dr. McGregor, Robb was told that initial CT scans of his abdominal and chest area showed signs of possible metastasis from the kidney to his upper respiratory system. Robb met with Dr. McGregor who felt Robb was showing signs of sarcoidosis, not metastasis. Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease causing the immune system to overreact and sarcoid-like reactions associated with kidney cancer are rare.
· Based on Dr. McGregor’s evaluation, a thoracic surgeon removed some of the lymph nodes from Robb’s upper-chest area, which confirmed he had sarcoidosis and not metastatic disease.
· A separate biopsy confirmed that Robb had Stage 3 Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma, so his right kidney was removed. Robb is now waiting to begin immunotherapy and potentially join a clinical trial.
· In his free time, Robb loves to golf, listen to music, play guitar and spend time on the lake in New Hampshire with his family. He’s supported by his wife, Jennifer, and his 3 children, Ethan, Lily and Grace who are all currently college students.