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May lose second testicle to cancer (5 yrs after initial diagnosis)

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  • #1

    May lose second testicle to cancer (5 yrs after initial diagnosis)

    Hey Ya'll--
    I am a survivor of TC going on 5 years that may lose his survivor status due to cancer in my other testicle. I had an appt. at the oncologist last month that was to be one of the last appts. EVER. I am writing with a heavy heart due to the fact I had an ultasound today on a mass on my "good" testicle. I will be seeing the urologist tomorrow to be told exactly what is going on. Anybody have to deal with losing both testicles to TC? I am not scarred of any of the surgeries and chemo-- I have done that before and know I can handle those things. I am really concerned about sexual function after the removal of my only testicle and any news on the subject (good or bad) would be really helpful. Also, I would be happy to answer anyone's questions regarding the treatments that I had recieved during my first battle with TC. Finally, in closing I would like to apologize for putting fear into anyone regarding the possibility of losing their only testicle-- it is like a 2% to 3% chance for TC survivors to get cancer in the other one-- (wish I had this kind of luck playing the lotto!)
    TC 1
    Right I/O-- 12-5-00 (seminoma, teratoma, embryonal, yolk sak)
    RPLND-- 12-29-00 (All Clear)
    Surveillance
    Recurrence-- 4-22-01 (3 mets in right lung-- biggest 3cm, small met on pancreas, one lymph node enlarged-- 2x normal)
    Chemotherapy-- started 4-30-01, 3xBEP
    Surveillance
    TC 2
    Left I/O-- 7-19-06 (seminoma)
    Hormone replacement therapy-- Androgel
    Surveillance

    Jeremiah 29:11
    Listen to Bob Marley
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Welcome to the forums, Ras Joe. Be sure to also check out the Testosterone Challenges forum, the TC2 section of the Testicular Cancer Resource Center, and the Testosterone Deficiency Centre web site.
    Scott
    right inguinal orchiectomy 6/5/2003 > nonseminoma, stage I > surveillance > L-RPLND 6/24/2005 for recurrence, suspected teratoma but found seminoma, stage II > chylous ascites until 9/2005 > surveillance and "all clear" since

    Your donation funds Livestrong services for people facing cancer now. Please sponsor my ride!

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    • #3
      i feel your pain brother! just that mine was not so far apart as yours. with the proper HRT you will have no function problems. it will probably take a little time to get things in order but it will be fine. as in my case it is better than it was pre-cancer. i'll be glad to help in any way. my thoughts and prayers!
      brian
      diagnosed 01/15/2005 bi-lateral seminoma stage IIa,4cm lymph node, right I/O & partial left I/O mar/2005, 18 days of radiation, remaining left I/O- aug/2005, surveillance, Wife did IVF oct/2005, DAD OF BABY GIRL born 08-02-2006!!! testosterone implants May 2008

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      • #4
        Definitely not a pleasant prospect. I lost both of mine to TC, 15 years apart. It s*cks to have to go through everything again just when you're starting to think it's over.

        I agree with Huckchef, though, if you have proper hormone replacement, everything should work just fine. The key is PROPER hormone replacement which really has to be individualized. If you do have to have the testicle removed, ask you doctor for a hormone prescription so you can start treatment the next day. This is what my doctor did. It would also be a good idea to get you testosterone level checked before surgery, so you have a baseline for comparison.

        Keep us updated as you find out more information.

        Best wishes,
        Jim
        Fish
        TC1
        Right I/O 4/22/1988
        RPLND 6/20/1988
        TC2
        Left I/O 9/17/2003
        Surveillance

        Tho' much is taken, much abides; and though we are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; one equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate, but strong in will; to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

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        • #5
          As the spouse of someone who has been without testicles for 26 years, I can tell you that TRT has come a long way. Now that he is in his 60's I think he has more and better sex than his buddies. With the proper dose you will do fine. Find a good doctor who understands the complexity of the treatment. Good luck with your path report. Dianne
          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 teratoma

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          • #6
            Ras Joe,
            You're not losing the "survivor status"...you will still survive!! Sperm banking, if you haven't considered it the first time around, may need to be addressed now. Welcome to the forum and let us know what the urologist tell you!
            Retired moderator. Husband, left I/O 16Dec2005, stage I seminoma with elevated b-HCG, no LVI, RTx15 (25Gy). All clear ever since.

            Comment

            • #7
              I'm one of the very few who appears to have had simultaneous testicular cancer. I'm on 2 tubes of Testim a day and feel fine.

              I cannot say my libido is 100% what it was before the cancer, and sex does not feel quite as good as it did before, but everything works and I'm happy.

              It's incredibly scary to be facing this again, but there's plenty of people on here to prove that you'll be fine.
              Right I/0 March 30, 2005
              Left I/O April 20, 2005
              Embryonal carcinoma, teratocarcinoma
              Surveillance since May 19, 2005

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              • #8
                update

                Hello--

                I would first like to thank all who have replied-- your kind words have helped a lot. Well, I have three tumors in my left testicle, very small, my urologist was suprised that I had found them being the size they were. The next step for me is PET and CT scans to see if the cancer is reoccurent or just a brand new testicular cancer, the latter would be the best b/c treatment would be staight forward. I am scarred of the posssibility of cancer being elsewhere but, my markers are still normal so I pray for the best. Could anyone tell me if their 2nd TC was a new cancer in the remaining testicle or if it was the first cancer attacking the "good" testicle?? Any info on what your treatment was would also be helpful. Updates to come....

                Thanks,

                Joe
                TC 1
                Right I/O-- 12-5-00 (seminoma, teratoma, embryonal, yolk sak)
                RPLND-- 12-29-00 (All Clear)
                Surveillance
                Recurrence-- 4-22-01 (3 mets in right lung-- biggest 3cm, small met on pancreas, one lymph node enlarged-- 2x normal)
                Chemotherapy-- started 4-30-01, 3xBEP
                Surveillance
                TC 2
                Left I/O-- 7-19-06 (seminoma)
                Hormone replacement therapy-- Androgel
                Surveillance

                Jeremiah 29:11
                Listen to Bob Marley

                Comment

                • #9
                  i was diagnosed with both at the same time....sorry. but it can come back as the same or another form!
                  diagnosed 01/15/2005 bi-lateral seminoma stage IIa,4cm lymph node, right I/O & partial left I/O mar/2005, 18 days of radiation, remaining left I/O- aug/2005, surveillance, Wife did IVF oct/2005, DAD OF BABY GIRL born 08-02-2006!!! testosterone implants May 2008

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                  • #10
                    What was your pathology the first time around? Normal markers and very small size sounds promising....good thing you were keeping up with self exams.
                    Retired moderator. Husband, left I/O 16Dec2005, stage I seminoma with elevated b-HCG, no LVI, RTx15 (25Gy). All clear ever since.

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      It's almost certainly a new cancer.
                      Scott
                      right inguinal orchiectomy 6/5/2003 > nonseminoma, stage I > surveillance > L-RPLND 6/24/2005 for recurrence, suspected teratoma but found seminoma, stage II > chylous ascites until 9/2005 > surveillance and "all clear" since

                      Your donation funds Livestrong services for people facing cancer now. Please sponsor my ride!

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Thanks Scott--

                        Coming from you that makes me feel really good. I cannot believe that I didn't use any resources like this the first time around!! This has been such a help.

                        God Bless
                        TC 1
                        Right I/O-- 12-5-00 (seminoma, teratoma, embryonal, yolk sak)
                        RPLND-- 12-29-00 (All Clear)
                        Surveillance
                        Recurrence-- 4-22-01 (3 mets in right lung-- biggest 3cm, small met on pancreas, one lymph node enlarged-- 2x normal)
                        Chemotherapy-- started 4-30-01, 3xBEP
                        Surveillance
                        TC 2
                        Left I/O-- 7-19-06 (seminoma)
                        Hormone replacement therapy-- Androgel
                        Surveillance

                        Jeremiah 29:11
                        Listen to Bob Marley

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          To everyone who is reading this ...

                          Joe (Ras Joe) is my son. He is a remarkable young man. We were all shocked with his recent findings and thought he was "out of the woods". Today is the day he is having his PET scan and CT. Tumor markers are negative. Last exam 3 weeks ago was excellent. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

                          Joe - I saw a rainbow this morning. I'm told it's a sign of good luck. I love you.

                          Joe's Mom
                          [Co-Survivor - My Son Joe: (RasJoe)
                          TC 1:Right I/O December 5, 2000 (Stage I -seminoma, teratoma, embryonal, yolk sac) RPLND-- 12-29-2000 (Nodes Clear) Surveillance- Recurrence-- 4-22-2001 (Stage III) Chemotherapy-- 4-30-2001, BEP x 3 cycles(successful) - Surveillance

                          TC 2: Left I/O-- 7-19-2006 (100 % seminoma Stage I) - Hormone replacement - Surveillance
                          Joe's Mom - Nancy

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                          • #14
                            Joe and everyone affected by this disease are in my thoughts and prayers daily. I hope all goes well for him!
                            God bless you, Brian
                            diagnosed 01/15/2005 bi-lateral seminoma stage IIa,4cm lymph node, right I/O & partial left I/O mar/2005, 18 days of radiation, remaining left I/O- aug/2005, surveillance, Wife did IVF oct/2005, DAD OF BABY GIRL born 08-02-2006!!! testosterone implants May 2008

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Joe's Mom,
                              Welcome to the forum, and we're anxious to hear Joe's CAT and PET results.
                              Retired moderator. Husband, left I/O 16Dec2005, stage I seminoma with elevated b-HCG, no LVI, RTx15 (25Gy). All clear ever since.

                              Comment

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