Next appointment is November 14th

[jenpat]

My finace Patrick had his I/O a few weeks ago, last week was diagnosed with Stage III TC and is waiting for his chest x-ray and tumor marker results....

So, currently we have no information regarding his pre-surgery blood tests vs post and he is being treated at two different hospitals, and the basic results we received from the cat scan is--this does not look good...lymph nodes are swollen--that is about all....

Can anyone give me some definite questions we should be asking at his next appointment?

Also, most patients diagnosed with stage III have had to undergo at least 2-4 rounds of chemo, what constitutes as a round? I have read so much..it is hard to keep the facts straight or not jumble them up, I've heard most courses are 5 days on, two weeks off, or along those lines, but how many weeks of that is considered a round?

Thank you to all for listening, responding, and answering my questions...

[dadmo]

One round of chemo will be 5 days of getting the actual chemo followed by 2 weeks off, so 3 rounds is 9 weeks. When you see the doctor ask about sperm banking, lymph node and lung involvement and what chemo he will get. The chemo will probably be 3 rounds of BEP or 4 rounds of EP. Ask if he can recommend someone for a second opinion but try and get him to call sloan or indiand.

[Lori]

Jenpat, you've probably read all this but some things to find out:

seminoma vs non-seminoma
what are the tumor markers (hcg and afp) reading
are lymph nodes enlarged and where in the body
what is the make up of the cancer - 100% seminoma or a mix which could include yolk sac, embryonal, teratoma, choriocarcinoma
All the above will help your fiance figure out treatment

I know it is so confusing, but post what you find out here and the guys and gals on the site will definitely help you understand. Also I second dadmo - get a second opinion at Sloan or Indiana. I think you are from Chicago, so Indiana would probably be easiest and Dr Einhorn's office is very responsive.

My husband was diagnosed with stage III non seminoma in May and it has been a long road with chemo and surgeries but remember this is a very curable cancer. Your fiance will do great and so will you!