Tweet
My partner has recently been diagnosed with TC and was told he needed the operation to have the testicle removed. However we now have to wait almost 3 weeks for this, does this seem like a long time for what appears to be an urgent operation?
-
-
Hi Debbie,
Three weeks is definitely a long time to wait. Has he gotten any other labs done? I'm assuming he's had an ultrasound, but he still needs blood markers drawn (beta-HCG, AFP, LDH), a pelvic/abdominal CT scan, and a chest X-ray. I have heard more frequently these days that if people don't show tumor markers, urological surgeons tend to be more lax about performing the orchiectomy b/c they suspect seminoma; hardly a good reason to delay treatment. Testicular cancer is curable, but if left untreated, it can be very aggressive. Any delays increase the harshness of any potential therapies, so it is imperative that the surgery take place soon. Let us know if you have any more information on his diagnostic exams. Stay in touch,"Life moves pretty fast; if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." -Ferris Bueller
11.22.06 -Dx the day before Thanksgiving
12.09.06 -Rt I/O; 100% seminoma, multifocal; Stage I-A; Surveillance; Six years out! I consider myself cured.
-
Debbie,
Three weeks is a very long time. The removal of a testicle sounds like a big deal but it's a very simple operation and most people are in and out the same day. My son had his removed the same day that the diagnosis was made.Son Jason diagnosed 4/30/04, stage III. Right I/O 4/30/04. Graduated College 5/13/04. 4XEP 6/7/04 - 8/13/04. Full open RPLND 10/13/04. All Clear since.
Treated by Dr. Rakowski of Midland Park, NJ. Visited Sloan Kettering for protocol advice. RPLND done at Sloan Kettering.Comment
-
Debbie,
Welcome to the forum. Three weeks is totally unacceptable in my opinion. The surgery is generally done as an outpatient surgery, realtively quick. I would push like crazy to get it done ASAP, and that includes going to a different urologist. If you can share any info on markers, CT, chest X-ray, ultrasound and age we will have a better idea of his situation. If you tell us what part of the world you are in we may be able to suggest a hospital or doc with experience in TC.Retired moderator. Husband, left I/O 16Dec2005, stage I seminoma with elevated b-HCG, no LVI, RTx15 (25Gy). All clear ever since.
Comment
-
Hi Debbie: Ditto what everyone has posted about three weeks being TOO LONG TO WAIT! I'm a firm believer that the squeaky wheel gets it done, so keep calling the doctor's office to see if they can move up the surgery date...or as Karen has suggested, perhaps it may mean seeing a different urologist. Best of luck...let us know how we can help you.Maria
*Hubby Andy diagnosed 02/13/07, Left IO 02/16/07 *Stage 1A Non-Seminoma (65% Immature Teratoma / 35% Embryonal Carcinoma) *RPLND 04/27/07 Lymph Nodes-ALL CLEAR
*Complications from Chylous Ascites so Laparotomy 05/03/07 *No food for 10 weeks, TPN only *07/18/07 Removed drains, tubes, picc line *CT Scan 07/31/07-ALL CLEAR
*CT Scan 02/12/08-ALL CLEAR *Hydrocele surgery 06/19/08 *CT Scan 9/30/08 and 03/06/09 shows <cm left lung nodule - under surveillanceComment
-
Debbie...much too long. My husband's was taken 12 hours after he was told he had TC and the doctor said that if he could have take it off 10 min after he saw it, he would have.
My husband's cancer was doubling in size every week. 3 weeks to wait is too long. Please let us know how we can help you.Co-survivor with husband Boyce, Diagnosed 7-11-06, orchiectomy right testicle on 7-12-06- Stage 3A: Mixed germ cell tumor with inguinal seminomatous and kartotypic carcinoma. One tumor over 10 cm, second tumor 4 cm, Chemo 4xBEP: Bi-lateral RPLND Dec 2006, nerve sparing but left sterile.
Current DVT
Current testosterone replacement therapy, Testim.
"You must abandon the life you planned, to live the life that was meant for you" ~wisdom I have learned from my family on this forumComment
-
Get that thing out asap.Spouse: I/O 8/80; embryonal, seminoma, teratoma; RPLND 9/80 - no reoccurrence - HRT 8/80; bladder cancer 11/97; reoccurrence: 4X
Son: I/O 11/04; embryonal, teratoma; VI; 3XBEP; relapse 5/08; RPLND 6/18/08 - path: mature teratomaComment
-
Hey Debbie: I was just checking on you to see if by chance you've had any luck getting a better surgery date? Just wanted to let you know I've been thinking of you.Maria
*Hubby Andy diagnosed 02/13/07, Left IO 02/16/07 *Stage 1A Non-Seminoma (65% Immature Teratoma / 35% Embryonal Carcinoma) *RPLND 04/27/07 Lymph Nodes-ALL CLEAR
*Complications from Chylous Ascites so Laparotomy 05/03/07 *No food for 10 weeks, TPN only *07/18/07 Removed drains, tubes, picc line *CT Scan 07/31/07-ALL CLEAR
*CT Scan 02/12/08-ALL CLEAR *Hydrocele surgery 06/19/08 *CT Scan 9/30/08 and 03/06/09 shows <cm left lung nodule - under surveillanceComment
-
Debbie,
That is way too long! Find another dr or hospital asap!Linda Murphy
Casey's mom in Cold Spring, KYComment
Comment