second opinion?

[Scott]

I thought they should do CT scan before surgery.

It's typical to have the CT scan after the orchiectomy.

[Michael112]

I was in the same boat as you acouple days ago, ultrasound showed up 2 lesions(lumps) 1 heterogenous(meaning it contains 2 or more types of mass) another normal, both showed vascularity(blood flowing to them meaning there not cysts) they measured at something like 2x1.8x2 and 1x0.8x0.9, The effected testical was smaller then my right, cant remember the measurements but it was significant but not extreme. The mass was noted as seminoma. I had the lump there for about 3 years, with slight occasional pain for 1 year wich worsened 1 week before diagnosis, when checking it out I agitated it more a day before the ultrasound. The ultrasound report also had "possible lymphoma". Then 2 urologists suspected non-seminoma, a physical examination did not find any swollen lymph nodes, although I have them swollen all over my body as of past few weeks, they schedualed a I/O within 6 days. Next day I went sperm bank then got my blood test results, they came back all normal.
Day after The CT scan came back clean, they scanned abdomen, chest and "helun"(head?). I am going to schedual a 2nd ultrasound and push the surgery date forward a bit only because it spread and that there is conflicting reports on what sort of tumor it is, this will also give me the opotunity to bank more sperm.
I am going to look up risks of frozen biopsy and put it into consideration.
If I do go through with I/O the doctor is going to put a prosthetic one in after surgery using local anesthesia, because he says that when doing it with the I/O it doesnt sit right.

[Alex_G]

Thanks guys for your help!
I will keep you posted. I just wanted to understand the process.
I hope everything will be fine.

[Kman99]

Alex-

As the others have said, if there are solid tumors, the normal and routine process is to remove the testicle. The website I posted previously will give you a great idea of what to expect from the surgery.

[dadmo]

Yes the next step should be to remove the testicle so the doctors can see exactly what's wrong and develop a plan to cure you.

[huckchef]

i would assume if tumors are present the next step, yes, would be surgery! from there biopsy and classification and staging.

[Alex_G]

Thanks for a good advice. Actually I got same advice from my doctor. I’m already in process with sperm bank.
I’m actually curious. I just contacted the doctor advised by KMan99 and fax him blood result and ultrasound result. Is there any different approach? I was under impression that if any masses found next step is surgery and biopsy.
Is this correct?

Alex

[huckchef]

i had three opinions done before i made the decision myself to go ahead with surgery. so don't hesitate to get it right!
if problems are occuring with both testicals, i would highly recommend a sperm count BEFORE surgery and bank sperm. if you only bank a little i believe you will be satisfied in the long run. it will not cost that much to do it. but because of the atrophy to the other testical you MAY have problems down the road with sprem production. so please take this seriuosly and check into it. you do have time to get the sperm banked, even if it requires a change in surgery date to allow you a couple of days to bank quality amounts. i hope this isn't the case!!!! but speaking on my experience i wish i would have waited a few more days to allow me more chances to bank more!
i hope it all goes well.
my thoughts and prayers
brian

[Alex_G]

I will call this doctor right now.

Here is ultrasoundresult

Findings: The left testicle is enlarged and is measuring 4X7X3 cm
The testicle is very heterogeneouse and there are multiple mixed echogenic nodules. Findings are worrisome for testicular neoplasm.

[Kman99]

I was diagnosed with TC. Based on ultrasound and blood work my doctor said that it’s seminoma

Sorry, I was basing my prior comments off of your first post. I have always had normal markers with a nonseminoma primary tumor. Is it possible for you to see that doctor in Chicago? Keep in mind TC is very rare in relation to other cancers. This means very few doctors see many cases. If it's possible, I highly recommend you try your best to see the doc I mentioned previously.

[Alex_G]

Actually he didn’t diagnose me with anything yet.
He told me that even if my blood test is fine I still need surgery to do biopsy.
He explained me that low markers are usually means seminoma.
Let me get copy of ultrasound so you guys can take a look at it.

[Kman99]

Yes, you are in higher risk, but I am a bit concerned your doc is diagnosing a seminoma through the use of an ultrasound. Do you know whether the tumors were solid or liquid? Try to get the ultrasound report. In the mean time, there is a TC expert facility in Chicago. I highly recommend seeing the doctor below...


Chicago, Illinois

Dr. Chris Coogan - Urology
Rush Presbyterian St. Lukes Medical Center
1725 West Harrison, Suite 758
Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 666-2410

[Alex_G]

I live in USA Chicago area.
Here is my short story.
4 weeks ago I felt a pain in testical area. In 2 weeks I visited my urologist. He sent me to ultrasound and blood work. Ultrasound results – multiple tumors (I’m not sure about exact wording I can get copy from a doctor). Blood work comes up clean.
My doctor told me that it looks like seminoma and I need surgery asap. I’m in higher risk zone because in my childhood I had undescended testical surgery.

Please let me know if that’s the procedure.

[Kman99]

Good idea Karen. I'm concerned about Alex's doc already diagnosing TC, a seminoma no less, by the use of an ultrasound.

[Karen]

Alex,
Can you tell us what part of the world you live in? There may be others here from the same area that can guide you to more expert doctors for you to be treated by. You do need the surgery as soon as possible, but your diagnosis and treatment are very important so you want to go to an oncologist that is very experienced in this area.