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[abck]

My 17yo son has one testicle larger than the other. He noticed it in December and told me about it in March. Our local md thought it was a hydrocele. Told us to wait until school was out to go the urologist. We went to the urologist last week. He thought it was a hydrocele also until he could not draw fluid out. Then, he became very concerned about a tumor. He told us tumors are almost always cancer. His blood tests came back way below the normal levels. Surgery is scheduled for June 26. What does all of this mean?

[Scott]

This sounds similar to the beginning of my story. The blood test results that matter would show elevated AFP, hCG, and LDH. Do you have a copy? If not, you should ask for one.

If you haven't already seen it, I'd recommend this TCRC page on the orchiectomy surgery. (Can the surgery can be moved up? You've been waiting long enough!) Also, these questions for the doctor should help.

Please feel free to ask more questions here.

[dadmo]

abck:
The situation is not as desperate as it may seem. If your son should have cancer he will be cured. The first step is to read the information that Scott recommended. Believe me in this situation knowledge is power. The surgery to remove your son’s testicle will be similar to that done for a hernia. It will be more emotionally upsetting then physically painful. He will recover from that in just a few weeks. When you see you doctor ask him about sperm banking. I know this is a tough one for parents and kids to discuss but you must talk about it. He may not need it but be ready. Get copies of everything even if you don’t have a clue what they are talking about. It will come in handy and if you tell us what they say we can give some hard earned information. Every time you see the doctor bring a pad and write down what is said. If three people are there three people should be writing. I know for my wife and I we needed to compare notes before we were sure about what was said. Finally, you and your family will get through this. You will find a lot of support here from other mom’s, consider them your friends and ask anything you want as often as you want. Don’t worry about asking the same question over and over some times it takes that before you will really understand the answer. Write back soon, we are here for you when you need

[abck]

I don't have copies of the blood tests yet, but the AFP and hCG were less than 2 and the normals were 5 and 6. I am not sure which was which. He has not had an ultrasound. The MD said he would have to have the surgery regardless, so we are skipping that.

[dadmo]

That makes sense. The only thing an ultrasound would show is a solid mass and you know that already. I am not a doctor but I can give you this bit of information that may be helpful. There are two basic types of testicular cancer, one (seminoma) grows slow and often the blood work comes back normal, the other (non-seminoma) grows fast and usually has elevated blood markers. With his markers normal he may have seminoma or just a benign tumor. Do you have a date for the surgery?

[abck]

Yes, the surgery is Monday June 26th.

[abck]

He has not had any pain at all. He says it feels swollen and maybe more tender, but not pain. He is very active. He runs cross-country and plays varsity baseball at high school. Right now, he is working driving a tractor 10 to 12 hours a day. This has not slowed him down at all. After working all day, he goes to see his girlfiend almost every night. He is a very hard working typical teenager!

[dadmo]

No matter what the doctor finds there is no reason that he shouldn't be able to keep active. Two member of this forum just ran the Boston Marathon and several others are very active bike riders, two others have just completed half ironman triathlons.

[Scott]

...the AFP and hCG were less than 2...

As dadmo said, those blood markers are in normal range. Nothing to worry about there.

[Mom]

Hardly a "typical" teenager. If this is TC, it will not slow him down. When I saw my son last weekend I asked how he was doing and he said that it was like it never happened (until I bring it up!). Thank heaven your son mentioned it to you. Hang in there. Dianne

[abck]

I have so many things to worry about and we do not know anything, yet. If it is cancer and if he has to have chemo, what will that do to his active life? He will be a senior in high school. I know the most important thing if it is cancer is getting it cured, but I can't help worrying about all the "little" things, too.
Thanks!

[dadmo]

If he needs chemo by spring ball he will be in great shape. Remember your son may not have cancer, and if he does you should remember that most men with tc are cured when they remove the testicle.

[abck]

My son had surgery Monday, and was confirmed yesterday---no cancer. Thank you for your help!

[Fish]

Congratulations! Glad to hear the good news.