About to enter the club... but is it TC?

[Marco]

Dear all,
first of all let me thank you for the support I received from you by just reading through many threads. I discovered this forum yesterday afternoon and it helped me a lot.

I am about to turn 32 and I have had a slight, non-continuous ache in my right testis for a few months (earliest I remember is June). Having noticed no swelling, no blood in urines etc. I wouldn't have thought it could be TC. But I decided to have an ultrasound inspection anyway, and on Oct 25th they found a 2.4*1.1cm thing in it. The next days I saw two urologists, both said orchyetctomy was the way to go (which I think is absolutely standard, from what I've read), and then we'll see the results of biopsy and CT scans. The first one said I could be lucky and have some benign form, the second one said it just could not be benign.

I have the surgery (with the second one) on Monday morning.

Today I received the results of the tumoral marker analysis:

LDH 283 iU/l (min 230, max 460)
HCG 0 miU/ml (min 0, max 5)
alfaFP 2.4 mg/ml (min 0, max 10)

which looks absolutely normal...

Now, considering:
- the markers are OK,
- my only symptom was a slight ache (the scrotum feels OK at the touch - one of the urologists said he wouldn't have diagnosed TC by touching), no swelling, no blood, no problems in sexual activity
- in 2005, I had been diagnosed a 13cm malignant liposarcoma in my left thigh which left me little hope, but it turned out to be a benign mixoma

Do you think there is reasonable hope that I might be lucky again? And is orchyectomy still absolutely necessary? (you know, I love them both )

Thanks again.

[TCLEFT]

Dear all,
first of all let me thank you for the support I received from you by just reading through many threads. I discovered this forum yesterday afternoon and it helped me a lot.

I am about to turn 32 and I have had a slight, non-continuous ache in my right testis for a few months (earliest I remember is June). Having noticed no swelling, no blood in urines etc. I wouldn't have thought it could be TC. But I decided to have an ultrasound inspection anyway (I have planned to relocate from Italy to Portugal next year and I wanted to have any problem solved by then), and on Oct 25th they found a 2.4*1.1cm thing in it. The next days I saw two urologists, both said orchyetctomy was the way to go (which I think is absolutely standard, from what I've read), and then we'll see the results of biopsy and CT scans. The first one said I could be lucky and have some benign form, the second one said it just could not be benign.

I have the surgery (with the second one) on Monday morning.

Today I received the results of the tumoral marker analysis:

LDH 283 iU/l (min 230, max 460)
HCG 0 miU/ml (min 0, max 5)
alfaFP 2.4 mg/ml (min 0, max 10)

which looks absolutely normal...

Now, considering:
- the markers are OK,
- my only symptom was a slight ache (the scrotum feels OK at the touch - one of the urologists said he wouldn't have diagnosed TC by touching), no swelling, no blood, no problems in sexual activity
- in 2005, I had been diagnosed a 13cm malignant liposarcoma in my left thigh which left me little hope, but it turned out to be a benign mixoma

Do you think there is reasonable hope that I might be lucky again? And is orchyectomy still absolutely necessary? (you know, I love them both )

Thanks again.

Marco,
Although you're on the young side of it, Seminoma can have no Markers. If the US confirmed a solid mass within the testis (this would be white on the film, black usually means fluid filled (cyst, hydrocele, etc. usually outside the testis)), then I'm afraid it could be TC. For your own peace of mind confirm if the US is showing a "solid" mass, then proceed as needed. Keyword here is "needed". We all loved them both, but not if it betrays you. Keep us posted and best of luck.
Mark

[Scott]

...and on Oct 25th they found a 2.4*1.1cm thing in it.

Assuming your ultrasound showed a solid mass, an orchiectomy comes next. The probability that a solid mass in the testicle is cancerous is high enough to justify the surgery. Keep us posted, Marco.

[dadmo]

Marco:
I could certainly be something benign but it has to be checked and the only way to do that is to have him removed. I know it's upsetting but just think how happy the other one will be to finally be master of that domain.

[Fed]

Marco,
The wise gentlemen before me have pretty much covered the bases. I was diagnosed when I was 32, as well. I didn't show markers, and I had 4 masses. The orchiectomy did follow, and I had seminoma. Scott's comment is also quite accurate: the likelihood of a solid testicular mass being malignant is 95%. The odds are just too high to let it slide. Testicular cancer is highly treatable so long as you catch it early. Best of luck, and keep the questions coming.

[fuse929]

I was diagnosed with a seminoma (no markers) at age 23, therefore if it does turn out to be malignant, you may be lucky enough to get the less aggressive form of the disease. Having no elevated markers is a good sign in the long run.

[Marco]

Thank you all for your replies, and for telling me about your experiences. I will have the surgery and then see what needs to be done. I will keep reading and posting here.

[Ad Mans Mom]

My son Adam was diagnosed with TC on 10/17/07 had a mass they found on a ultrasound in ER, went in complaining about terrible pain in his groin.

He had a L/O on later the next week, the path. results came back showing no tumor. Diagnosis was HEMATOMA, we have sent his slide to Dr. Rueter at Sloan Kettering and are awaiting the result, feels right to get a 2nd opinion. Adam was told they were 95% sure it was cancer. His urologist told him the diagnosis was wrong, but the treatment was correct in doing the ORCH.
I hope his right.

Ad Mans Mom

[Russell's Mom]

Hello, For us, the information came fast and furious. Along with the emotions, there was much confusion. It was helpful to ask for print-outs of the doctors findings, or ask them to write it down. Later when there is time, you can explore and understand the guidelines for your care. It is not an easy path, but it is do-able. This is a great and trustworthy group! Sharon