24-03-2006 Blood test results

[AdrianB1971]

HCG=0, AFP=5 !!! AFP is back to 5 from 3.9. I'm thinking to repeat the AFP test to another lab.

[mikeygti]

3.9 to 5 is WELL within the "normal" range,so probably nothing to worry about.

What,us WORRY ?

Best Wishes,

[Alucard]

?

I don't get it.. everybody speaks of 2.6/5/3.8 AFP levels but the last time I checked mine was 111018 before surgery and 311664 after a week.

I don't really have any experience with cancer so could you explain?

[dadmo]

Alucard:
If you AFP is 311664 it would indicate that you have active cancer. Are you under any form of treatment? If not you should be.

[Alucard]

Hello,

Yes, I'm having chemotherapy. I was supposed to take something yesterday but according to my blood test results I couldn't so they're going to give me it in two days.

Btw I have metastases on my lungs so yes, it's active.

[Alucard]

Actually I'm wrong, my AFP is 23.23, what is elevated is something else called HCG - Serum.

[dadmo]

Alucard:
Well that's a much better number, you scared me with that 311664 number. Do you know what your HCG is, and are you getting BEP or EP?

[Alucard]

I really don't know a lot.. I'm living in an arabic country and they barely say anything I understand. I'm not sure what HCG is but it's something they check to see if your cancer is still active? They check it often.

BEP.. EP.. no, I don't know but I guess it has something to do with the chemotherapy? I have to take four sessions, one almost over. Yesterday but white blood cell levels were too low to give me the bleosomething.

I'm digging up some internet sites and reading the english stuff on my reports to get more info.

-Al

[dadmo]

Al:
Check out the attached link you should find answers to almost all of you questions. http://tcrc.acor.org/

[Alucard]

Thanks a lot.

[Jens]

Hi Al.

Dadmo has already taken good care of you, but I'm sure you will have a lot of questions as you learn more about your condition.
Especially since you seem to have a communication problem with your doctors you might need a little interpretation with some of the issues.

Remember to ask whenever in doubt.

I'm pleased to see that you are getting "bleosomething". That means that you are getting BEP (Bleomycin, Etoposide and cisPlatin). It cures TC!

Best wishes
Jens

[Alucard]

Hello,

Yes, I have heard those terms before.. I remember they said they'd give me cisplatin and V-16 (or just 6).

What I really want to understand is what seminoma and non-seminoma means. I had surgery to remove my right testicle and now the only things left are those lung metastases. Does this mean I am at stage 3 already? I can't really concentrate to read right now, whenever I read a story I feel like throwing up or something.. I get nervous easily.

Thanks for the help,

-Al

[Jens]

Hi again Al.

Easy now.
You are getting treated for TC with BEP and the treatment will cure you.
I know - because it cured me!

Seminoma is a "slow growing bugger".
Non-seminoma is a "fast growing bugger" - with an unpleasent tendency to spread to the lungs (short version...).
BEP KILLS NON-SEMINOMAS! (It also kills seminomas but they get radiation as first line treatment.)

Know that BEP is extremely effective and that stage III just means that it's above your diaphragma but that's really not all that different from a few nodes in the belly. But to answer your question, yes, lung metastases is stage III and you probably have non-seminoma TC.

Your tumormarker values (AFP and HCG) are important to follow. Your prognosis is based upon them - dadmo's worries - remember?

Give us some info:
HCG and AFP value: Pre-surgery and present.
Pathology?
CT scan?
X-rays?
Treatment?

We can help you a lot with this, because we have been there! Ask away!!!

Best wishes
Jens

[Jens]

they'd give me cisplatin and V-16 (or just 6)

Forgot to say that you are for sure getting BEP.
VP-16 is Etoposide.

Take care
Jens

[Alucard]

Hi,

Thanks for your words.. I have to go to the hospital tomorrow and I'll see if I can get more info now.. man I have learned a lot about the condition today.

Regards,

Al