Four-time Villanova all-American, former PA state champion and Foot Locker all-American Frances Koons will be training again before the 2007 cross country season concludes. But she won't be a part of this year's campaign after being diagnosed earlier this summer with clear cell renal cell carcinoma, followed by surgery to remove a tumor on her left kidney.
The tumor − the size of a ping pong ball − was removed with the least invasive type of surgery (laparoscopy) at North Shore University Hospital on Long Island, New York. Her surgeon is a pioneer in laparoscopic and robotic surgery. Kidney cancer develops most often in people over 40, but no one knows the exact causes of this disease. While there are several risk factors associated with the disease, like smoking, obesity, and high blood pressure, Koons did not fit the typical patient profile.
The road to diagnosis and treatment was not direct. Indeed, it was accidental. An incident in mid October 2006, sent Koons to the emergency room as she was experiencing lower abdominal pain. A CT scan was performed and revealed the presence of a small mass on her left kidney. The ER doctors did not feel this was the cause of the abdominal pain as she was diagnosed with small ovarian cyst as the culprit. They did suggest she let her doctor know the CT scan results the next time she saw him.
Koons continued to run during the indoor and outdoor track seasons, with mixed results. She posted some of the fastest times in the country at the beginning of the indoor season. However, Villanova Head Coach Gina Procaccio, sensed things going awry around the middle of February. Procaccio says Koons began to struggle through workouts and would completely fall apart at the end of her races. Procaccio says they backed off Koons' training as she thought her performances were a result of overtraining. Routine blood tests performed to monitor her iron (Koons had battled anemia as a freshman and now controls it through diet and iron supplements) also revealed high cortisol levels. High cortisol levels indicate the body is under extreme stress and Procaccio assumed the stress must be overtraining. Her training was cut way down, but nothing changed. "It was a baffling spring, as I couldn't figure out why she could barely finish her races and workouts. I came back to my office after every workout and said 'there's something wrong with her'. No matter how much I backed her off, she just wasn't coming around," said Procaccio.
Championships in XC in 2006 - photo by Don Rich
Following a disappointing end to her outdoor season when she did not advance to the finals of the 1500m at the NCAA East Regionals, Procaccio shut Koons down for a month. A June visit to a urologist led to the discovery of the growth on her kidney as a tumor. Further testing was done at the University of Pennsylvania, and the choices were before her. Kidney removal or the procedure she ultimately had done in New York. Her surgeon even avoided cutting through stomach muscle because she is an athlete. She'll also have twice yearly checkups to ensure the cancer has not returned.
Even through the ups and downs of her junior year, Koons was Koons − just plain nice. Procaccio says that outdoor regionals was a true display of Konns’ character. After earning All-American status in the 1500m at the NCAA’s the previous year, Koons failed to qualify for the 1500m final at the regionals, dashing her chances of earning an NCAA berth in 2007. But teammate Akilah Vargas not only advanced to the finals, but qualified for NCAA's for the first time. No one was happier for the former Boys & Girls (Brooklyn NY) star than Koons. "She (Koons) just had this big smile ready for her teammate, even though she didn't have a good meet," Procaccio says.
“I consider myself to be extremely fortunate and blessed. The kidney cancer was detected early and my treatment was world class. I have an outstanding support system, from my family to my coaches, teammates and friends,” commented Koons. “Their concern and encouragement has been inspirational to me,” she added.
Koons hopes to return for her indoor and outdoor seasons this academic year. Because she red-shirted outdoors as a freshman after experiencing low iron, she'll have two seasons available in 2008-2009.
When she was seen by doctors at Penn learning of her surgical choices, Procaccio says they happened to be on the 9th floor, overlooking Franklin Field − site of the Penn Relays. It had been a bittersweet spring, but the problem had been found, and a course of treatment decided. Reflecting on the history that echoed off the brick walls of the famed track, Procaccio also had reason to be optimistic. She has no doubts about her top runner. "Frances will be back."