Input Appreciated

[dt22207]

Hey folks,
What a great site. I hope you all can give me a little information and advice.

I have had symptoms that I worried were testicular cancer. (Lump, no pain.) I do a great deal of travel, but decided to get a test from a lab to get a little data. They took some blood and measured AFP and HCG levels.

AFP is 25 ng/mL
HCG is 200 mIU/mL

They tell me these are high. I'm trying to figure out what type of specialist I need to see and how quickly. So my questions are:

Would I look for a urologist? And oncologist? Something else?
How would you compare these levels in the test results to others you know?
How pressing is this? For financial reasons this is not a good time for me to seek expensive treatment, but I will if I need to.

Many thanks.

[Scott]

Yes, they're high and indicate that you do have testicular cancer. You should get to a urologist immediately. It's very pressing. The sooner you go, the less treatment you may need.

[dadmo]

I am not a doctor but from those readings I would say you have testicular cancer. Get in touch with a urologist quickly and get that bad testicle removed and then have him arrange for you to meet with a local oncologist. This is a very serious situation and needs to be addressed yesterday.

[Fed]

Hey man,

You need to see a urologist STAT. Chances are you'll get an ultrasound (and if not, ask for one), and if the lump looks suspiscious, the testis will have to come out. A chest X-ray and a CT will likely be in order, as well.

The NCI/NIH staging guidelines for tumor markers are on this site.

Best of luck to you. Hopefully you'll be able to take care of this soon. Best,

[Rune]

I don't have much too add, except to say that it's important to get early treatment, so you need to see a doctor ASAP! When caught early, there's a good chance the operation will provide a cure. In general, 70-80% of men diagnosed with Stage I TC are cured by the removal of the testicle.

Good luck and keep us updated!

[Already Bald]

You need to see a urologist right away, and be prepared for surgery. Chances are you are going to be just fine, but you need treatments. How did you have the lab run the blood without first seeing a doctor?

[dt22207]

Thanks for the input. I guess I need to get looking for a urologist.

I got the lab tests through an independent lab that sells cancer screening tests, among other things. It's www.ghimedical.com if you're curious. Not putting in a plug or anything. I don't have any relationship with them other than buying a test from them.

I'm sure I don't need to tell anyone here, but it really sucks having this just land on you. Oh well, thanks again.

[Scott]

I guess I need to get looking for a urologist.

Please do it today, and let them know your blood test results when you call so they understand the urgency. Keep us posted.

[dt22207]

Thanks. I set up an appointment for Thursday.

I'll check in. Hopefully with good news.

[Scott]

No chance they can see you sooner? Those blood test results, if accurate, indicate you have non-seminoma. While a few days may not make much difference, the faster you move now, the less chance the cancer has to spread and the more likely it is that just removing the testicle will cure you.

[Already Bald]

Thursday is too long to wait, that's almost a week away.
Then you are going to sprobably spend another few days waiting to get the OR scheduled...
If indeed you have TC, this is a very fast moving disease- but with a very high cure rate.
I'm in chemo now, and it could have been avoided if I went in sooner. Get back on the phone with the urologist's office and pressure them to see you sooner- or call another.
Good luck, keep posting.

[dadmo]

I would call again and tell them the results of your blood test. This should be moved on very quickly. My son was diagnosed in the morning and by the afternoon one of the boys was gone.

[Scott]

I hope we've accumulated enough peer pressure to convince you!

[Mom]

If you can't see a urologist this afternoon, go to the ER. You will not have a Happy New Year if you wait. Dianne

[dt22207]

Thanks of the push. I called them and they agreed to squeeze me in Tuesday, which was the best they would do with the holiday. Don't know if I could get someone else or not. I'll keep my fingers crossed.