Just diagnosed and had orch. done yesterday.....questions..

[machba]

Hi Everyone,

I was diagnosed last Monday the 24th with TC after they did the ultrasound and found 2 masses in my lefty. I had my initial diagnosis at UCSF, but things seemed to be moving a little slow (no blood results for up to a week, earliest surgery would have been on May 12th) So I decided to go over to Stanford for a 2nd op. and things moved a lot faster...had bloodwork done again on thursday, CT scan Friday, and the Orch. surgery yesterday. I have to say, I felt pretty good after the surgery b/c I was just glad to get the source of the cancer out of me. But now of course, I am waiting to find out if it has spread.

I am generally a patient person but I am a little anxious to find out what the test results are. Regarding the spread of the cancer, I wanted to ask here what people's knowledge and/or experiences have been with 2ndary symptoms. For example, I've read some brief descriptions online about lower back pain or abdominal pain, trouble breathing, etc. I've had a few of those in the past week or 2, but thought it might be more due to the stress, b/c they kind of come and go. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

[dadmo]

machba:
Welcome to the forum. It is amazing how often people think they have secondary symptoms. Once you hear the Cancer diagnosis everthing become a symptom Sure back pain, sore nipples, coughing, headachs are all signs (sounds like the flu) but your results will be back soon and no matter what stage you are in you will be cured.
Do you have anything from the pathology report that you can share yet?

[machba]

Thanks for replying Dadmo....I actually just gave the doctor a call and spoke with her. She said the CT scan showed up clear and that my tumor markers looked normal. (btw, does that mean that they already took blood immediately after they removed the testicle?) I think she said that indicates that it's likely a seminoma? The pathology report comes in at the end of the week and my follow up appointment is next Thursday.

I will let you know once I get the pathology report back....thanks!

[davidn]

Hello Machba,
Your situation sounds similar to mine. My bloodwork and cat scans came back clean also. I had a seminoma in lefty. I opted for surveillance since the surgery more than likely cured me. Just remember no matter what kind it is, TC has a very high cure rate. Hang in there and keep us informed
Dave

[Fish]

It's true that seminomas are less likely to produce elevated tumor markers (acutally they should never produce AFP). However, in 1988, and I had a mixed cell tumor (non-seminoma) with embryonal cell, seminoma and teratoma, and did not have any elevation of tumor markers. So although normal tumor markers are less common with non-seminomas, it does occur.

The path report will be key.

Best wishes, the clear CT scan is a good sign.

Jim

[dadmo]

Machba:
You might be one of the people here who gets cured with just the operation. That would be nice. As fish said the path report will tell all. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Don]

Welcome Machba and I hope you get some good news from the path report!!!

[machba]

I got the call from the doctor today. She said it's a Stage I Seminoma and she also said that 90% of the time they recommend radiation therapy to the abdominal lymph nodes, I guess to make sure they get all of it. I have a follow up appt. next Thursday where I guess they will lay it all down for me about my options.

While I am definitely relieved by the news, I am also humbled by what others here have had to go through. Thanks for your posts. This experience has definitely changed my life.

[petep]

if you have to get testicular cancer....that's the one to get and the stage to get it at...

you will be fine...good luck with everything!