Left Teste, not lookin right....

[davidn]

My story starts last Wednesday. After two months of worrying about my "changing" left jewel, I went to the Free Clinic. I do not have health insurance. The doctor I saw examined me and recommended an ultra-sound asap. He got me into the local hospital that afternoon. A lump was detected, the radiologist thought it was seminoma. He sent me back to the clinic and the doc sent me for blood test last Friday morning. I was tested for tumor markers AFP, HCG, LDH. Well I got the results today. My blood is normal. What does this mean?? I know its a good thing. If its not TC, what could the radiologist seen?? I see a urologist this Friday, I'm sure he'll tell me whats up then. Am I out of the woods with the good blood test?? Is TC ruled out now??
Thank You,
dave

[davidn]

i forgot my symptoms in the first post. my left teste seemed to be getting larger, and hard. it didn't really hurt, but it seemed a bit tender. and i definitely feel a small lump on the side of it.

[Scott]

Welcome, David. Don't let lack of insurance stop you from getting the treatment you need. Please stick around and let us know how things are going as this plays out.

I'm afraid you aren't all clear yet. Seminoma often doesn't cause elevated tumor markers, so while the blood test results are a good sign, they don't prove it isn't cancer. If the radiologist saw a solid mass, the odds are good that the testicle needs to come out, but you'll know more when you talk to the urologist.

[davidn]

Thank you for the quick response. I will post friday and let you know what the urologist says.
Thanks again
dave

[davidn]

I met with the urologist and he suspects cancer. They will be taking it out tomorrow morning. I'm a little nervous, but just want it out of there. Hopefully it hasn't spread. I'll be in touch, i guess in a different forum.
Dave

[davidn]

I do have a question, do my blood levels being good, maybe point to seminoma?? From what I've read, seminoma is a little less aggressive then non-seminoma.
Dave

[jdbob]

I think the way it works is that if a certain blood marker is elevated it can't be pure seminoma, but the lack of elevated blood markers doesn't guarantee that it is.

Neither my AFP or bHCB were elevated but mine was a combination of non-seminoma and seminoma.

[Jens]

Hi Dave.

jdbob is absolutely right, it can be both types. But normal markers put's you in the best prognosis group.

You will be cured.

Best wishes
Jens

[Scott]

Good luck with your surgery tomorrow, Dave. We'll look forward to hearing from you afterward.

[davidn]

thanks for your support guys. i'll be in touch as soon as i can
dave

[Don]

Best of luck tommorrow Dave!!!!!!!!

[burgdob]

Mine was a pure seminoma and I had no elevated tumor markers. That indicated that it most like hasn't spread beyond the testicle. I had mine removed in December and am in the beginning of radiation. My CT scans were negative, so the radiation is in case some cells are out there.