my brother spend 3 days in intensive care with an infection which brought his b/p dangerously low.  He had kidney stones which they pushed back into kidney.  He had had the pain which has been different from the pain of stones which he has continuously had all of his life. They are now telling him he has an enlarged spleen and kidney.  He is scheduled Tuesday to have a stint removed and another one inserted.  Could this be cancer?  He had just had stones blasted from the other kidney two weeks before the infection which put him in intensive care.
Hi, Thanks for writing in. Infection is always caused by a pathogenic organism like a bacterium. Stones in kidney causes stasis of urine and this leads to urinary obstruction. The urinary blockage acts as a favorable medium for the bacteria to multiply. Sometimes infection might also ascend from the urinary bladder and enter the kidneys. In severe cases the bacteria release air in the collecting system of the kidneys and cause a condition called emphysematous pyelonephritis. Doing a blood culture and sensitivity is important to know any blood-borne septicemia. Similarly, a urine culture and sensitivity will also help. A broad range antibiotic should be given through intravenous route. This ensures better Chat Doctor.  Most people recover in a week after starting treatment. Cancer is less likely however detailed imaging is suggested. Please do not worry.