lymph node

[Bgriggs]

New member here. I'm not sure where to start? I have just finished up going through 9 weeks of 3 cycles of chemo. Started out as testicular cancer left side. Testical was removed. The cancer came back in my lymph node (1) measuring 3.8 cm x 3.6. I had a post chemo CT scan on Monday. My oncologist wanted me to see a urologist about a blocked kidney (hydornephrosis). Well the mass of enlarged lymph node is blocking the kidney
which is now 5.3 x 6.4. The uro wants to put a stint in and then do a lymph node disection. We meet my onco on Mon. not sure what he's going to say. So my question is, has anyone else gone through this?

[nzsteve]

Hi,

My tumour grew during chemo, but not to the point where it was impacting on the kidney. I had the RPLND 6 weeks after the last chemo cycle finished. There was no active cancer in what they took out - they chemo had done its job and killed it all, leaving me with a mass that needed to be removed. Without removal they think it would have kept growing an eventually killed me, even though there was no cancer in it.

How are your blood markers looking? A downward trend should be a good sign that the chemo is working. Growth during the chemo doesnt always mean that cancerous elements are causing the tumour growth - mature terratoma (non cancerous element left after chemo) can grow slowly, and the 'dead' tumour can also contain pockets of pus and water that can expand.

I'm not an expert, but removal at this stage looks like the right thing - you dont want to get kidney damage if it continues to grow, and the path lab will be able to analyse what they remove to find out exactly what is growing, and what further treatment -if any- is needed.

Good Luck,

Steve

[dadmo]

Bgriggs:
Even if the growth was stabilized it would seem that the right thing to do is get that mass out. An RPLND is fairly common for tc patients. Do you know what the original tumor was composed of and what your markers were? Were not doctors but with that extra information we can share some of our hard earned knowledge.

[Bgriggs]

Thanks so much for the info guys. How bad is the RPLND? I'm still new with all these turms and types. I'll find out exactly what I had. I remember yolk sacs and that it did not react to radiation. Teratoma was talked about yesterday.

[Scott]

It's serious surgery, but we've got plenty of members who have been through it.

[Bgriggs]

What is recovery like? How long will I be down for? I'm very athletic and race motocross. How long do you guys think it will be before I can get back on the bike or be running again? Sorry if I'm asking to many questions. Just scared.

[Scott]

Ask as many questions as you like. That why these forums are here!

I'd estimate six weeks to recover from surgery, and a while longer to build back up. Your mileage may vary.

[BREwing]

Hello Bgriggs,

RPLND sounds a lot worse than it really is. I had mine in Philly on 5/12 and I actually think that I am recovering A LOT better from that than I did the I/O. I'm sure that you have searched the internet for information on the surgery, but here are some links that I found valuable:

http://www.tc-cancer.com/rplnd.html

http://tcrc.acor.org/rplnd.html

Also, here's a list of the experts that you can check out. Some of these are surgeons and some are oncologists.

http://tcrc.acor.org/experts.html

Not sure where you are located, but there are a handful of surgeons who can perform the surgery, check around and ask them how many they do in an average month. Once you find one to perform the surgery, check out some older posts, there might be a member who had it done by the same person and they could really give you the ins and outs of the whole process.

One more thing, you'll get a really cool scar!

[Chris'Mom]

Hi, my son had a RPLND last July 22 at Sloan Kettering...after chemo there was lymph nodes that were still slightly enlarged...it turned out to be teratoma which has to come out.....his surgery lasted 3 1/2 hours....recovery in hospital about a week....by August 17 he was heading off to college, but taking it easy...now he is doing great....it is serious surgery, but he had no real problems with it...he thought it was easier than chemo...keep us posted...Mary Ellen

[Bgriggs]

Mary Ellen, thanks for the reply. God I hope I have the same results. I talked to the oncologits this morning. Looks like we'll be doing the surgery next week. This week if they're worried about the kidney. I ask for the weekend off for my birthday. I'll know more this week.

[Bgriggs]

Is there anyone that had financial problems during the recovery. I emptied my savings, used all my vacation and sick time during chemo. My company only offers long term disibility which doesn't pay anything until after 3 months. Then it only pays 60%. Other than selling off things I own. I'm not sure what to do after surgery. Anyone have suggestions?

Thanks

[TSX]

Is there anyone that had financial problems during the recovery. I emptied my savings, used all my vacation and sick time during chemo. My company only offers long term disibility which doesn't pay anything until after 3 months. Then it only pays 60%. Other than selling off things I own. I'm not sure what to do after surgery. Anyone have suggestions?

Thanks

Disability income is not subject to income tax, so 60% will work out better than it sounds in terms of take-home pay.

-TSX

[Scott]

Try this document for some ideas.

[MROSE]

Hello! My boyfriend John, 23 years old, had his RPLND last Wednesday, July 5th at Sloan-Kettering in NYC. He has been dreading this surgery all through chemo, and in all honesty it wasn't half as bad as we all expected. He had an enlarged lymph node that was very close to his kidney, and the RPLND is an effective surgery for this issue. He had 4x EP before surgery and is really doing well - he has more post-chemo issues to deal with right now (low magnesium and anemia) than the effects of the surgery. Sometimes the only sure way to detect how much potential damage can be caused by the tumor is to go in and take a look at it and remove it - it is better to attack this issue as early as possible because some tumors impede on the kidney enough to result in kidney removal as well (less than 3% of cases). I am sure you have heard this by now, but it would be very beneficial for you to check out a list of expert RPLND surgeons. John's surgeon at Sloan-Kettering is one, his name is Dr. Joel Sheinfeld and he specializes in a 'nerve-sparing' technique to help keep the nerves in the surgical active post-surgery. If you would like to hear more about the actual surgery experience, I would be more than happy to talk to you! Just send a message

GOOD LUCK!