Great News!

[Matt_24]

My DOC called me today.

The cancer was seminoma with no evidence of vascular invasion. All of the tumor markers were negative. The CT scan and chest x-ray were clear. I will undergoe a course of radiation therapy and two years of quarterly surveillance, but.....essentially I was very blessed!! I'm in the military so I won't be able to deploy or PCS for two years - but I can live with that. I'm sure I'll get a little paranoid during the surveillance but I can deal with it. I'm very ecstatic and just wanted to share my good news with everyone. God Bless you all - and thanks for the information and support.

[dadmo]

Matt:
That's great news. Has your doctor discuss surveillance rather then radiation? You really have no bad choices here I'm just curious.

[Matt_24]

I've done some research and everywhere has listed a treatment of radiation as the 2nd step. He did ask, and I'm all for it. He did say it was more pre-cautionary, but in case there is something that slipped out - this should kill it. I will be on surveillance for 2 years. Every 3 months I will go in for testing, and they will perform a CT scan twice a year. Whatever they want to do I'm just ecstatic. It is wonderful to feel a 2nd lease on LIFE, and I'm going to take advantage of it. Life is certainly a GIFT!

Also, I won't be able to deploy for two years due to observation, so I'm going to get back in school and finish my graduate studies. I'll now "definitely" have the time...so there has definitely been quite a few blessings out of this.

Today is my first day back at work - and boy I feel more sore today than ever. (Not taking any oxy-codone so I'm feeling everything..LOL)...but that good news has just given me more happiness and strength than I can imagine. A huge weight has been lifted. I just can't explain it - and trust me - after reading this forum, I know what a blessing I've truly been given. Of course, there is a chance that the fight isn't 100% over --- but I definitely feel like I've got the best of this thing. And I will definitely stay involved in this wonderful forum, which truly probably SAVED my life. I'm not sure I would have checked this out so rapidly if I had not stopped by here....so thanks to the creator!!

[dadmo]

I'm going to get back in school and finish my graduate studies

That's a great step forward in a liveSTRONG life. Just don't ever miss a follow-up.

[Sans rt1]

Congratulations, you are well on your way to being cured - although you may actually be cured already. The decision for further treatment is a personal one, and so long as you understand the long term risks and benefits, choosing RT is reasonable - but so would be surveillence if you would follow up religiously. RT will have its impact on your body and there are some long term effects that you need to consider - but most get through it with no long term effects.

I understand the frequent followups for the first two years, but make sure that the long-term plan includes at least an annual followup after that - for the rest of your life. The RT should kill any of the microscopic mets in the area that is treated. But even with RT, there is still a small chance it could pop up later, even much later, hence the need for you to make sure that you have an annual physical that includes the oncology screening bloodwork with specific TC checks, as well as an annual chest X-ray - to cover you for the remote chance something pops up later. Hopefully that kind of followup could be accomodated without affecting any deployment. Also, you need to remember that because you have developed TC, you are at a higher risk for developing it in your remaining one - so be sure to remember your monthly self-checks just in case.

Be sure to check out the recommended followup protocol at the NCCN website:

http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/testicular.pdf

[Scott]

I've done some research and everywhere has listed a treatment of radiation as the 2nd step.

Radiation is a fine choice and proven adjuvant therapy. Just take into consideration that with stage I seminoma, 80% of men are cured by the orchiectomy alone.

[Fed]

This is fantastic news! I can "hear" in your voice how ecstatic you feel about the diagnosis. The course of treatment you have chosen is quite proven, so as long as you have taken everything into account, you should rest assured that you will be cured. As others have said, keep in mind that no matter what line of treatment you choose, you will need to keep up with the required labs and radiology. The only drawback about seminoma is that the relapse window is larger than with non-seminoma (5 years vs. 2 years) because of how slowly seminoma cells divide and spread. Then again, RT has a 5 year survival rate >98%, so you'll be in great shape.

I am glad that we were able to be of help and that you are on the mend. Also, many congratulations on continuing with your graduate studies. It will pay off in the long run.

Again, congratulations, and best of luck with your treatment.

[James]

Your happiness is felt right here in our hearts. What a nice story to read - we (including YOU) truly are blessed!

And be sure to listed to Dadmo - "Dont miss a follow-up". That is how I almost screwed up - even years out, be sure to keep on it.

[Matt_24]

Thanks for the support everyone.

No worries about missing an appointment. Military appointments are actually ORDERS - so missing an appointment is un-excusable. I have no plans to miss one anyhow. I'll stay on top of everything. In my mind - I'm happy, but I'll always do everything to fight/prevent this from happening again (within my power).

It is kind of funny. I've done another exam on my remaining testicle and it feels so nice to have a HEALTHY guy down there...LOL.

I always wondered what "exactly" that means regarding the 5 year survival rate? Does that mean it could show up again in 5 years in the lymphs...or....(just a bit confused). Thanks!

[Fed]

I always wondered what "exactly" that means regarding the 5 year survival rate?

Adapted from the Mayo Clinic Site:

Cancer survival rates or survival statistics tell you the percentage of people who survive a certain type of cancer for a specific amount of time. Cancer statistics often use a five-year survival rate. For instance, the five-year survival rate for stage I seminoma treated with adjuvant radiation is >98%. That means that of all men diagnosed with stage I seminoma that underwent XRT, 98+ of every 100 lived for five years after diagnosis. Conversely, two or less out of every 100 died of seminoma within five years.

[rjs]

Matt_24 -
Good news on your diagnosis! (If there is good news with cancer) Glad to hear you have made a decision on your next step and are approaching it with confidence. I also opted for the RT route and have not had any regrets. The side effects will include nausea and heavy fatigue, but in comparison to what others go through with chemo or the RPLND surgery, it is something you can take and will definitely get through.

One other consideration because of your age is to have your sperm count checked prior to starting treatments if at all possible. You may also want to consider banking sperm as a precaution. While the RT is relatively low there is always the chance that scatter beams could cause infertility. This is why checking your counts now is important because some TC patients are already low or infertile and do not know. If your counts are normal or higher than normal than the odds of any risk from the RT is even lower. Banking can be a bit of a process, but as a precaution it is worth considering and some doctors forget to mention it.

You should also make sure that the clinic where you get your treatments introduces you to the "clamshell". This device will "hold" your survivor testicle during the treatment. It is a lead shell and rather awkward to set up so the tech will need to do it for you. But by now so many have examined you that a couple minutes to place the shell is minor. Now keep in mind the radiation does NOT go over the surviving testicle, but this shell is only a precaution to help with the possibility of some scatter radiation. Some techs will tell you it is not needed, but my doctor advised to always err on the side of caution since there is no going back.

I just wanted to share my learnings on this process. Nothing to overwhelm you, but knowledge is important as you move forward on this journey.

Good luck. Stay strong!

[Matt_24]

RJS - Great info.

Yes, compared to what I've read on RPLND and what I saw my mother go through with experimental chemo @ Vanderbilt hospital in Nashville, TN - I'm honestly not worried in the least.

Interesting story. My mother worked for INGRAM BARGE for probably 30 years in Nashville, TN. She was friendly with the owner Bronson who died of cancer (I believe). My mother then worked for Orin (the son who she watched grow up - whose name I could be mis-spelling) Ingram. When he found out she had liver cancer he personally called Vanderbilt Hospital and told them to do anything/everything they could beyond what insurance would cover - and reminded them on the millions his family donated each year to their cancer research (the Ingrams are billionaires). Where they originally gave her 6 months, she ended up living a year. She took everything they dished out (some pretty ruthless stuff)..but finally (and thankfully actually) succumbed. Not a fun experience, but my family will always be grateful to the INGRAM family.

Also, I have a wonderful daughter with my beautiful wife with plans of no more children. The first pregnancy was very hard on my wife - but almost three years later we're very satisfied and 100% confident on not having any more kids.

Want to hear something funny? I've been putting off having a vasectomy due to fear......LOL. Isn't THAT a kick in the pants after all this?? After the radiation treatment I'll be scheduling that, and no...I will have absolutely no worries on that one either. They can blast the other one if I was confident it would make me infertile. I do feel for those who want children and lose the ability to reproduce due to TC. My daughter was the greatest gift I've ever received.

[dadmo]

Yes it's a kick in the pants but in the front.

[Matt_24]

Hi everyone. It has been nice to have a few days and not once think about cancer. BUT, of course the doc called and I'm setting up times tomorrow to go have a PET scan and begin my Radiation treatment over at Walter Reed.

I'm still not sure WHY I'm getting the PET scan. Seems like they just want to do it, and since it can't hurt I'm game. I just haven't seen this listed as a very common test for testicular cancer. If you guys think it might be unnecessary, then I may pass on it. Anyhow, I'm ready and excited to knock this radiation therapy out. My DOC even mentioned that now it may take only two weeks (excluding weekends) versus a longer trial. I guess I'll find out more later.

He was very positive and non-chalant during our appointment which made me feel good. I verbatim asked him, "Should I be counting my blessings." His reply was, "Yes." He also reiterated that taking the radiation could kill anything that might be hiding from the other scans, thus preventing recurrence on down the road. I'm ready to blast any cancer that might be trying to hide. NUKE ME UP!

All in all, I'm feeling great. Lets see, it has been 14 days since surgery and I'm "almost" pain free. Just a minor ache..and weird sensations which the doctor said is normal from where they I guess had to damage or cut through nerve endings? I didn't get in-depth with him about it. I'm very happy and blessed though, and I'm trying my best not to take it for granted. Every day is a GIFT!

[Karen]

My DOC even mentioned that now it may take only two weeks (excluding weekends) versus a longer trial. I guess I'll find out more later.

Matt,
Love your attitude!!! How many Gy are you getting in your RT (Gy= Grey Unit...measurement of absorbed radiation)? The standard for stage 1 seminoma is in the ballpark of 20-25Gy, usually given Mon-Fri for 3 consecutive weeks. In the UK the same amount is given but frequently over a shorter time span...same total but a higher dose per zap. Downside is the side effects tend to be worse (nausea, vomiting, fatigue). Please post what the doc tells you about your dose and time course. You will be fine!