A new member

[Fish]

Excellent news!!

[Michael112]

Thats great news man, happy to hear it.

[Scott]

Excellent news -- I'm glad everything has worked out so well!

[dadmo]

That's super. Congratulations on catching this early. Just please make sure you stick to your surveillance schedule.

[mjc8185]

biopsy clear!

The biopsy showed no signs of seminoma - just a fatty lymph node. So we are officially stage 1 and under surveillance!

[Scott]

Well, it's good to hear that advice point 1 worked out so well, and very interesting that the counsel you received was so different from advice point 2! I'm glad to see that you posted an update to TC-NET, too.

Good luck with the biopsy, and please let us know the result.

[mjc8185]

emailed dr einhorn

Thanks for the advice. I emailed my pathology and CT scan reports to Dr. Einhorn and explained the dilemma. His response was "It is perfectly reasonable to do the biopsy and if seminoma treat with radiotherapy." Biopsy is scheduled for Friday morning and follow-up with oncologist next Tuesday.

[petep]

please take scott's advice...

I am in s. fla, had initial surgery in coral springs at a medical center with all intial tests performed there....flew to indy a few weeks after surgery to consult with einhorn and then he referred me to dr. benedetto at Univ. of Miami...

I was quite surprised to have met so many people at U of Miami that had been elsewhere and misdiagnosed before being referred to Miami. Read this board long enough and you will come across a number that were led down the wrong path initially.

But the trip to Indy was the best thing I did...as well as ending up with Benedetto.

It's a relatively rare cancer, and the centers for excellence see a great share of those diagnosed. They know the best/proper protocols....

My attitude was it's my life, why not check with the noted authorities.

[Scott]

I saw you had advice over on TC-NET, which I would summarize as:

1. Get an expert opinion from Indiana University.
2. Skip the biopsy, stick with surveillance for now, but be prepared for the likelihood of additional treatment.

[mjc8185]

Report from radiology

Met with oncologist again today following review of CT scans by radiologist. Enlarged lymph nodes indeterminate so he wants to do a biopsy of the one on the left side to determine if it's malignant. So we still don't have a final staging until after the biopsy results. Either stage 1 if benign or stage 2b if malignant. Lung spot is being identified as "possible post inflammatory scar" so it doesn't look like stage 3.

CT Abdomen & Pelvis results:
Unfortunately no preoperative CT scans are available for comparison, therefore, an enlarged lymph node between aorta and carva just above the bifurcation measuring 1.9cm x 1.9cm is indeterminate. While this may be a reactive postoperative process, and rather unusual location for metastatic disease, however, re-evaluation by a short-term follow-up CT is recommended. There is alsi a fatty lymph node posterior and lateral to aorta at the same level which measures 2.1cm x 1.6cm. No retroperitoneal, retrocrural or upper abdominal lymphadenopathy is detected.

Both kidneys show normal function and no obstruction. The liver, gallbladder, adrenal glands, pancreas and spleen are normal. There is a 6cm x 5cm seroma or hematoma in the left inguinal region from previous surgery.

CT Chest results:
There is a quite nonspecific density in left lower lobe that measures less than 0.8cm x 0.4cm. The margin characteristic is not quite typical for metastatic disease and may represent a post inflammatory scar, however, comparison with any prior chest CT scans or otherwise, attention to this area in follow-up examinations are recommended. There is no hilar, mediastinal or axillary lymphadenopathy.

Sorry for the long post but wanted to see if any of this was familiar to other members.

[MRM]

A had a scare with a few lung nodules earlier this summer. They turned out to be nothing-- in fact, they weren't even visible on the last chest CT I had.

I'd expect that they'd monitor you for a few weeks and check for growth before sending you to chemo, especially if your blood work is OK. That's what they did with me. They might also biposy the spots before doing anything else if there was growth.

[mjc8185]

latest update

We met with the medical oncologist at MD Anderson today and he didn't see anything that concerned him on the CT scans but is deferring to the radiologist to review the scans before deciding any next steps. Latest blood work shows all normal levels. Will meet again with oncologist 9/25 after radiologist has a chance to review the scans. So we wait some more before getting a final stage diagnosis.

[mjc8185]

Thanks Fish.

We're certainly praying that the spots in the lungs are not TC. Still, I'm mentally preparing myself for the possibility of chemo rather than radiation.

[Fish]

Believe me I know how stressful the waiting is. I will tell you - don't automatically assume the spots in the lungs are TC. They MIGHT be, but CT scans are notorious for picking up small nodules in the lungs that turn out to be nothing. I've had one for about 2.5 years now, it initially got smaller then stabilized and has been the same size since. Hopefully, they'll be able to better evaluate your lung nodules and determine if they are TC.

Hang in there.

Best wishes.

[mjc8185]

Waiting....

The waiting is the worst part. After the CT scan results my urlogist wanted to send me to an oncologist that just completed her studies so wife and I decided it was time to self-refer to MD Anderson in Houston. Now waiting to hear from them on when I can see an oncologist. Given that something showed up in the lungs my urgency has increased. Seems to me the sooner we can start treatment the better. Appreciate any reassurance.