Nonseminoma - choriocarcinoma

[c-w]

Hi All,
This is my first time logging on. I had a radical right orchiectomy Friday, and the doctor says elevated levels of HCG show the likelyhood of a choriocarcinoma or yolk-sac mixed. I'm scheduled for cat scans and xrays tomorrow, and later this week to get the pathology.

Does anyone have experience with choriocarcinoma? I've read sites that say it is rare, and spreads quickly to other organs. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
CW

[Alucard]

Hi, I also was diagnosed with choriocarcinoma, biphasic.. no enlarged lymph nodes, spread to the lungs, 5cm metastases (click here for the report) and my bHCG markers were very elevated (111280 before orchiectomy and around 300000 after). They will give me 4xBEP, just finished the second cycle and bHCG dropped to 639.

A question, if I may: How long did you wait to go to see the doctor?

Just stay positive and you will be able to get through this.

[Scott]

Welcome, CW! You may already know that Lance Armstrong is among the best known cancer survivors for having beaten advanced testicular cancer that was 60% choriocarcinoma -- before going on to win seven Tours de France.

[c-w]

Alucard,
Thanks for the reply. I found the "mass" Sunday before last, and the orchiectomy was Friday. I'd had no pain from the mass, just noticed it and went in to see my doctor - and two days later I'm in the ultrasound, and the next day was bloodwork, and the next at the urologist scheduling the surgery - its all happened pretty quick.

I am still learning all the terms, but i assume yours was all Choriocarcinoma?

[Alucard]

Hello,

Yes, the report says mine was choriocarcinoma, biphasic. You caught it early it seems, that's excellent.