Anyone else out there with testicular hardeneing?

[Karen]

Brandon,
You're wise to get a second opinion on this from an expert. I hope your incision is getting better.

[dadmo]

Brandon:
Always remember that the final treatment decision is yours alone, but it's going to be hard to beat Einhorn as a resource. Good luck with what ever you decide. Please keep us posted.

[Scott]

I may be wrong, but I predict Dr. Einhorn will suggest surveillance. Let us know!

[TEXAS123]

Hey guys,
we are in the process of getting a second opinion. Because the seminoma was in such an early stage they may treat this like pure seminoma. The doc seemed to think that perhaps the best way to go might be radiation therapy. That is the way they think we will go. Larry Einhorn is the second opinion so I will probably just do whatever the man says.
Like always I will keep you posted.
-Brandon

[Scott]

If it's not pure seminoma, it will be treated as non-seminoma. Surveillance may be a good choice.

[dadmo]

Mention to your doctor that the incision is still weeping but go easy on the activity.

[TEXAS123]

So... I got the call today....a message...sounds like we had a little embryonal in there too. I have a meeting with an oncologist on Tuesday and we will see what the plan is. I will keep you folks posted.
-B

SANS--
thanks for the input. I will definitely let you know what all the details are once I see the doc Tues.

ALSO---Did anyone else have any leaking from their sutures? It is not a lot. But I am spotting my nice clean sheets. It has been a week I would have thought that the thing would have stopped by now. It may be because I am being too active. Just wondering if anyone else had/is having the same problem from the small (yeah right) inscision?

[Mom]

Great news, Brandon! It is a long process but you do get through it and you will be fine. Dianne

[Sans rt1]

When to you expect to hear about your final pathology report? Hopefully it is pure seminoma as that makes treatment a little more straight forward - although as dadmo stated that with your I/O you may be cured and surviellance may be an option.

Your pathology report will give you indication of the size of your mass and staging - whether it had vascular or lymphatic invasion - the things that are needed for it to spread - so that even with a clear CT there may be some microscopic cells that have made it elsewhere - mostly the abdominal lymph nodes - which is the reason why radiation treatment is an option often recommended when you have vascular and lymphatic invasion (or sometimes if the mass is large even without these) to reduce the odds of a reoccurence.
Mine was fairly large with vascular and lymphatic invasion but clear CT, so I went with the RT as I felt the odds of reoccurence were high enough to make me worry too much in the future.

I hope you will be meeting with an oncologist to discuss the options for your future treatment and surveillence - all of this was so confusing when I went through it and no one ever told me what doctor played what role. Your oncologist is who will guide you through your treatment and surviellence - and if you ever need further treatment in the future. I still am having follow ups with my urologist, and will have one last meeting with the radiation oncologist that handled my RT, but it will be the oncologist that I will be having follow-ups with in the future - every 3 months first 2 years (bloodwork, chestXR, yearly CT), then every 6 months for years 3-5, and yearly for life after that.

Agaiin, I hope your final pathology report will indicate pure seminoma and very early staging. In any event, your TC is very treatable and the people in this forum and the library information are a great sources of information.

[Karen]

Excellent news!!!! Please let us know the final pathology report and good luck with the RT. This will be behind you soon!!!!

[dadmo]

It sounds like you have a treatment plan in place. When you have all the specifics please post them. Good luck with your treatments.

[TEXAS123]

Scan Clear!!

The scan came back clear!! They are still doing pathology on the tumor, but the CT came back with an all clear. Sounds like we will end up doing a little radiation and the go into surveillance. We sill do blood, CT, and x-ray every 3 months for two years. Sounds fine to me. Everyone is so relieved and we are just hanging out waiting to hear from the doc for an actual schedule of treatment. thanks guys for the support and for all your answers to my questions. This is a great place. I have never done the forum thing before, but I would like to continue being a part of this group. If I can help one person in a similar situation feel a little more comfortable or answer a question that would be just great.
Thanks again everyone,
Brandon

[Karen]

Brandon,
You've had a heck of a time these past 2 weeks. I hope you can catch your breath a little after tomorrow. You were very wise to follow up on the enlarged testicle. Hopefully you and Shatzie will both be back to enjoying a healthy and happy life very soon! Take care!

[TEXAS123]

Thanks Karen,
I appreciate your advice as far as staying responsible witht the ongoing maintenance and being realistic about the nature of the beast. As soon as we know I will be sure to make a little cancer folder and keep up with all of this stuff. I will let you guys know how tomorrow goes.

thanks,
Brandon

[Karen]

Brandon,
Seminoma is very responsive to radiatin and chemo, so you can give it the one-two punch if you ever need to. Because of the radiation responsiveness RPLNDs are not in your future if a pure seminoma. The CT will fill in blanks on the lymph nodes and give the staging. If you have no markers and chose either surveillance or RT it is CRUCIAL that you keep up with follow ups since seminoma is a slow growing bugger and can recurr after 10+ years. Let us know the final path report. I keep copies of all my husband's blood work and scan reports for reference and if we ever move or need another opinion (plus I am neurotic and like to read everythign myself). You may be cured already and you will be fine!!!