How fast can it spread?

[wabondonna]

Hello all. Just another quick question, how fast can TC spread to other parts of the body? Because I noticed that today I have a mole on my shoulder which is one that is dome shaped, which I think I have heard is a symptom of skin cancer. Just wondering (seen as though my testicles only started aching about a week ago) if it could spread that fast?
Thanks.

[Fed]

It's spreads quickly, but not that quickly. Seminomas spread very slowly, while non-seminomas (embryonal, yolk sac, choriocarcinoma, and teratoma) spread much more rapidly. Also, there is a pre-determined pathway for spread that has been thoroughly vetted. Typically, if the primary tumor is in the testis, the spread goes through the retroperitoneal lymph nodes (near your back, close to the kidneys), then to the lungs, and from there to other visceral locations (brain, bone, liver). More aggressive non-seminomas (such as embryonal carcinoma) have the ability to spread through the bloodstream, so they may hit the lungs without going through the lymph nodes.

I think the chances of the mole on your shoulder being a TC metastasis are pretty much zero; however, it is a good habit to have moles that look suspicious checked by your GP or a dermatologist.

[Margaret]

Try not to be too anxious. Once a person gets nervous about something as serious as cancer, you can start feeling like you have something wrong with every body part

First of all, skin cancer (from what my doc told me) is not the same as Testicular cancer and would be unrelated. TC can spread to other parts of the body, but it would appear in a place such as the lymph nodes.

I am not sure about your situation but my advice would be to go to the Doctor as soon as possible and have him just you a check up. I am sure it will ease your mind. It is very easy to create a lot of anxiety in yourself by looking for signs of cancer. Best thing to do is to have a doc tell you what could be a problem. I hope everything works out for you. Let us know.

[wabondonna]

Thanks you two, looking back I think I was over-reacting a little!

[fuse929]

Once a person gets nervous about something as serious as cancer, you can start feeling like you have something wrong with every body part

Haha that is so true......I noticed and was freaked out about every little ache and pain during my experience.

[Margaret]

ha ha, as soon as my hubby was told he had cancer...I was worried about all my aches and pains too...and trust me, there was no way I had TC. Anxiety is catchy.