should I trust em?

[clyde_on]

Hello all,


On 10/4 I went under the knife and had my left test removed I recived my resutls yesterday and it was called a classic seminoma.
The path report was done by a MD.

I am asking this because:
The Uroligist who performed the procedure stated to my girlfriend the tissue did not have the normal membrain around it, it could be a rare no cancer type but he made no promise.
the PA report states:
"The mass is Tan and not encapsulated and there is no evidence of necrosis or hemorhage"

I am confused, the bottom line is I am thinking I should get a 2nd opinion based off of my uroligist's comments.

what do you all think.

[IowaBrian]

They will go by the path report most path reports are looked at by more then one persons to make sure they are both seeing the same thing. If you still have questions you could have the slides sent to another lab but that could be on your dime.
I don't know how he could say it looked different unless he does a lot of these which I doubt he might see a handful a year not much to base an opinion on. That is why they send it to the lab to be looked at they can't tell from just looking at it, it need to go under the microscope. Sometimes they don't find cancer but that is in about 2% of the cases so they odds of it being cancer is very good if it is a solid mass. Hope this helps.
Brian

[Michael112]

Hey man, the pathologist would know a lot more then the urologist on what the tumor was, if the report says seminoma then I would say it was, I just did some searching for you and found this:

Classic seminoma

Classic seminoma usually forms a mass situated anywhere in the testis and produces a moderate smooth or bosselated enlargement of the organ. Typically the cut surface is uniform yellow or tan. Hemorrhage and necrosis are uncommon.

Taken from here (gross images warning)

From what I read, sertoli cell tumors are brown, and benign seminomas are distinct from other tumors and are only found in old men.

[Fish]

As Brian said, your pathology slides will almost certainly be reviewed by another pathologist as a QC check. Indiana University will review the slided and report for a fee (depending on your inurance, this might be covered). http://tcrc.acor.org/experts.html

My report also indicated that they ran tests with special stains to assist with the diagnosis.

Good Luck

[clyde_on]

surveillance tc

Do you folks think I should consider surveillance OR go to radiation?

I am not trusting the whole radiation thing?

[IowaBrian]

That is something that you need to talk to the doctor about each case is different You have to be willing to do as they say meaning all of the blood test Xrays and CT scans along with the doctor visits. I go EVERY month for xrays and blood work with a Dr visit, every 3 to 4 for a CT scan too so it can stress you a little to say the least. The RAD is the way to go if you want to feel that you have done everything you can do to Kill the cancer if any remains. The doctor will feel you out and if they feel that you will not do the follow up as they direct they will want you to do the RAD to be on the safe side.
Good Luck
Brian

[Michael112]

Do you folks think I should consider surveillance OR go to radiation?

I am not trusting the whole radiation thing?

Well that choice is upto you on what you would prefere and also on what your doctor recomends, I suggest looking up on experiences with radiation and what its effects could be short term and long term.
My doctor recomended radiotherapy due to my personality but I thought about it, did my research then declined and said I will choose survalience, the main thing wich worried me was peoples inability to consume milk shakes/ protein shakes for long periods(years) afterwards.

[Englishgal]

Single dose chemo option?

My other half had a stage 1 seminoma and has just had a single dose of carboplatin, this seems to be the favoured treatment in the UK for this type of TC especially in the young (he's 24).
Having spoken to others this treatment seems to be less of a strain on the body, he had it yesterday and was told by the doc he can go back to work on Monday

[clyde_on]

thanks much

It is so odd i was just reading about this method,
The data states 96% on this method vs 95% on radiation.

I think I am going to do this.



here are some articals:

http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/health/feeds/hscout/2005/07/21/hscout526981.html

http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/testiSurveillancecular0604

Here is another nice one; for anyone considering Surveillance:

http://www.webtie.org/SOTS/Meetings/Genitourinary/SUO_12_13_14_2002/transcripts/32/transcript.htm