Recurrence Worries!!!

[Mikey_Mike]

Hi,

I was diagnosed with TC on the 9/2/06, had radical orchiectomy on 16/2/06. Path report says it was pure seminoma and CT scan was clear. Had Carboplatin on 31/3/06, which wasn't too bad at all and am now on surveillance... I'm waiting for my first appontment next month! Not sure what's involved but i'm under the impression it'll just be some blood tests and maybe a physical.

My problem is that one of the symptoms that I've been told to look out for is chronic back pain as this may indicate it's growing in my lymph nodes. for the last few weeks I've been getting 'twinges' in my lower back, about where my belly button is but in my back. Has anyone suffered this before, what kind of pain should it be and where exactly... Chronic back pain suggests very painful to me. I think I may be just paranoid though as it really hasn't been very long since my treatment finished!

Should I request another CT scan? I don't think blood tests will show anything as my markers have never been raised.

Thanks,

Mike

[MRM]

I think the pain to look for is something constant. We all have tendancies to think every small ache is a recurrance, at least for a while after treatment.

I have small lower back aches all the time, but they pass. They're probably from sitting at my desk or bending my back the wrong way.

If I think about my back long enough, I'll feel something.

Of course, if it really worries you, talk to your doctor.

[Krokar]

I was diagnosed with TC on the 9/2/06, had radical orchiectomy on 16/2/06. Path report says it was pure seminoma and CT scan was clear. Had Carboplatin on 31/3/06, which wasn't too bad at all and am now on surveillance... I'm waiting for my first appontment next month! Not sure what's involved but i'm under the impression it'll just be some blood tests and maybe a physical.

Hello Mike,
I was treated with Carboplatin also but 2 years ago and it is all fine till today. I was paranoic about all possible thing at the begining and I had big problems with pain in lower back, other testis...
First of all it is not possible even in theory that Seminoma can grow in your lympfh nodes so much that you can feel any pain now. Normaly 6 months after surgery there is nothing to see at Seminoma, because it grows so slow.
Second argument is that you had chemo, and even I don't know your chemo treatement it is very unlikely that you even can have recurrence.

We all understand your worries now but in time you will feel better. Try to find some other reason for this pain, but when you really have bad time because of it and you can't live with a fear ask for a CT.

Regards,
Alex

[Mikey_Mike]

First of all it is not possible even in theory that Seminoma can grow in your lympfh nodes so much that you can feel any pain now. Normaly 6 months after surgery there is nothing to see at Seminoma, because it grows so slow.

Not sure about that, my testicle went from having a small lump at the back, which the Doc told Me about (I went because my testicle just didn't feel right) to about double the size of my other testicle in about 9 weeks. Had two masses in the end, >5cm and about 2cm.

Think I'm going to call Addenbrookes (Cambridge, U.K.) tommorow and ask their thoughts, it won't do any harm to ask for a CT, even if all it does is calm me down.

[Krokar]

Yes, it is true that your primary tumor can grow so fast is days, but not lymph nodes, where it must grow from micro cell to some centimeters.
But like I sad for your mental health it is better to check and you will be sure.

Good luck.

Not sure about that, my testicle went from having a small lump at the back, which the Doc told Me about (I went because my testicle just didn't feel right) to about double the size of my other testicle in about 9 weeks. Had two masses in the end, >5cm and about 2cm.

Think I'm going to call Addenbrookes (Cambridge, U.K.) tommorow and ask their thoughts, it won't do any harm to ask for a CT, even if all it does is calm me down.

[Fish]

I agree, it's unlikely that seminoma would grow so fast that your back pain would be related to a recurrence. Also, some guys with large abdominal tumors have no back pain - it just depends on the location.

Carboplatin is not as common in the U.S. so I don't know what he follow-up protocols are, but I would hope that CT scans are part of the routine, expecially if your primary tumor did not produce any elevation of markers (which is common with seminoma).

Best wishes for a clean bill of health.