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Hello everyone, I have some more questions. First off, thanks for all the great info at this site. Second is my questions. I just finished another round of tests. It is also the second time visiting this doctor. He said that he would have done a RPLND after my first treatment, but is keeping with the observation for now. He said that in my second, and last, as I only had two ;-) of them, the mass has grown over the last year. They removed my right side in oct 05, and noticed a small mass in lefty. The mass size was around 1.0 or 1.1 mm in size. It dosnt look like the right one did, but there is something there. Now the mass is about 1.6 in size and the doctor wants to have another operation to take a look. He dosnt want to remove it, but does want to pull it out and see. He will remove it if after looking at it, deams it needs to be removed. Seems like an odd operation. He would also suggest some chemo if it turns out to also be cancer. This is kinda what I was expecting, knowing the mass was there. Any thoughts on this?
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Oct 2005
Stage I Non-Seminoma
teratoma, immature teratoma, yolk sac, and embryonal carcinomal
Diagnosed 10/26/05
Rt Orch 10/27/05
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Sept 2006
Stage I Seminoma
Lt Orch 11/14/06
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Jan 2007
RPLND
73 Lymph Nodes - ALL CLEAR!
[email protected] -
I agree with the doctor’s idea of pulling it out to take a look. If it appears to be ok he can simply (easy for me to say) put it back. If it turns out to be tc it should be classified as a separate incident and not a recurrence. This form of cancer does not spread from one testicle to the other they are separate incidents. With that in mind I would wait for all of the test results before any further treatment. The removal of the first testicle cured you once and it’s quite possible that by removing this testicle you will be cured again.Son Jason diagnosed 4/30/04, stage III. Right I/O 4/30/04. Graduated College 5/13/04. 4XEP 6/7/04 - 8/13/04. Full open RPLND 10/13/04. All Clear since.
Treated by Dr. Rakowski of Midland Park, NJ. Visited Sloan Kettering for protocol advice. RPLND done at Sloan Kettering. -
Hmm, thanks for the words. I find it interesting that it would be completly different from the first time. Also I wounder about the slow growth. Does that lead me to belive in and point me to anything in perticular, or is it a wait and see?Oct 2005
Stage I Non-Seminoma
teratoma, immature teratoma, yolk sac, and embryonal carcinomal
Diagnosed 10/26/05
Rt Orch 10/27/05
-------------------------
Sept 2006
Stage I Seminoma
Lt Orch 11/14/06
-------------------------
Jan 2007
RPLND
73 Lymph Nodes - ALL CLEAR!
[email protected]Comment
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I agree with dadmo...it should all be treated seperately. The operation he is wanting to do I had done the first time with the understanding it could come out all togethor. So a partial removal was done because of the location of the tumor and "put back in" to later be removed again. Hindsite....I would have had it all removed from the start!!diagnosed 01/15/2005 bi-lateral seminoma stage IIa,4cm lymph node, right I/O & partial left I/O mar/2005, 18 days of radiation, remaining left I/O- aug/2005, surveillance, Wife did IVF oct/2005, DAD OF BABY GIRL born 08-02-2006!!!
testosterone implants May 2008Comment
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Geoff:
Definitely don't plan on any particular course of treatment until they look at the second tumor and find out what it is. It could be benign, but if it is TC is could be a completely different cell composition than your first tumor. I had TC in both testicles, about 17 years apart - the first was non-seminoma, mixed cell types, the second was pure seminoma. As Dadmo and Huckchef have said, TC does not spread from one testicle to the other. So even if it is TC it will have to be evaluated and staged independently from your first case.
It sucks to go through this twice, hang in there.
Best wishes.Fish
TC1
Right I/O 4/22/1988
RPLND 6/20/1988
TC2
Left I/O 9/17/2003
Surveillance
Tho' much is taken, much abides; and though we are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; one equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate, but strong in will; to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
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Update
Well this upcoming tuesday the 14th is the operation. Need to get a chest xray and some more bloodwork tomorrow. I am doubtfull that it is not cancer. It is a solid mass, and the Doctor mentioned that it looked like to masses in there. My wife mentioned that he would likley do both the RPLND and chemo if it is cancer too. Am I at a higher risk with having cancer in both sides?Oct 2005
Stage I Non-Seminoma
teratoma, immature teratoma, yolk sac, and embryonal carcinomal
Diagnosed 10/26/05
Rt Orch 10/27/05
-------------------------
Sept 2006
Stage I Seminoma
Lt Orch 11/14/06
-------------------------
Jan 2007
RPLND
73 Lymph Nodes - ALL CLEAR!
[email protected]Comment
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I don't understand why doctors still prescribe chest x ray?
In my understanding x ray will show anything only if tumor already large size.
Why don't they send to CT scan or PET scan that is more accurate and can catch cancer on earlier stages?
I talked to my oncologist about this - he told me that this standard procedure and probably outdated already.
In my case chest x ray didn’t show anything suspicious however CT scan showed enlarged node.
I would suggest talking to the doctor about CT scan instead of x ray.
It is my 2 cents from my experience.Comment
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More info
Interesting comment on the chest x-ray. Makes you wounder if doctors are able to change to a more current protocol or if they are forced to follow one. I can see the plus and minus for each I suppose.
Tomorrow is the big day, hopefully for the best, whatever that brings. It always amazes me what I have to go through to get a few days off of work. At least it is not an arm or a leg, my car payments get those already. ;-)
I will let you know what it is soon, as I am anxious myself.
On another thought, are people that get TC in both sides at a higher risk or spreading or anything, or is it just luck and dealt the same as someone with it in one? Just have to deal with it twice, I am guessing.Oct 2005
Stage I Non-Seminoma
teratoma, immature teratoma, yolk sac, and embryonal carcinomal
Diagnosed 10/26/05
Rt Orch 10/27/05
-------------------------
Sept 2006
Stage I Seminoma
Lt Orch 11/14/06
-------------------------
Jan 2007
RPLND
73 Lymph Nodes - ALL CLEAR!
[email protected]Comment
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Good Luck Tomorrow
Good luck tomorrow, I hope it turns out OK. Please let us know how it went!Rob
1st TC 4/23/1973, Left orchiectomy, Seminoma, Radiation, 33 years great checkups, 2nd TC, 9/12/2006, Right orchiectomy, Seminoma, surveillanceComment
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Geoff:
I hope everything goes well today.
best wishes.Fish
TC1
Right I/O 4/22/1988
RPLND 6/20/1988
TC2
Left I/O 9/17/2003
Surveillance
Tho' much is taken, much abides; and though we are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; one equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate, but strong in will; to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
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Update again
Well everyone I had the operation done. It went as smooth as one could expect. The Doctor told my wife that he said it was cancer, and is just waiting for the patholoy report to know what type. We told the doctor pre-op to remove the testical if that was the best and thats what he did. I am doing well and taking my meds to deal with the pain. I will let you all know what type the pathology report states. Thanks once again for the kind words and thoughts.Oct 2005
Stage I Non-Seminoma
teratoma, immature teratoma, yolk sac, and embryonal carcinomal
Diagnosed 10/26/05
Rt Orch 10/27/05
-------------------------
Sept 2006
Stage I Seminoma
Lt Orch 11/14/06
-------------------------
Jan 2007
RPLND
73 Lymph Nodes - ALL CLEAR!
[email protected]Comment
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Geoff:
I'm sorry about the poor result of your operation. Just keep heart we have several members who have been down the road you're on and they are leading normal and healthy lives. Staystrong.Son Jason diagnosed 4/30/04, stage III. Right I/O 4/30/04. Graduated College 5/13/04. 4XEP 6/7/04 - 8/13/04. Full open RPLND 10/13/04. All Clear since.
Treated by Dr. Rakowski of Midland Park, NJ. Visited Sloan Kettering for protocol advice. RPLND done at Sloan Kettering.Comment
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Geoff,
Sorry to hear about your second operation, and the doctor's diagnosis. My fiance is contimplating having a RPLND after chemo for an enlarged lymph node. The important thing is catching this stuff early, and getting it taken care of. So, just remember that you are doing everything you can to fight this, and you and your family will get through it. These decisions and mountains we climb only make us stronger! Wishing you the best, and keeping you in our thoughts! Always remember "LIVESTRONG"!!
Lisa & Nick
(nlferraro19)Lisa
Co-survivor (Fiance, Nick)Comment
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Oh yeah, did you have a CT scan done? If so, what did it reveal? Hoping everything is "ALL CLEAR"!!Lisa
Co-survivor (Fiance, Nick)Comment
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Geoff:
Sorry to hear it was TC again. But hang in there, and try to get started on hormone replacement ASAP.
Hopefully the I/O will be all you need.
Best wishes.Fish
TC1
Right I/O 4/22/1988
RPLND 6/20/1988
TC2
Left I/O 9/17/2003
Surveillance
Tho' much is taken, much abides; and though we are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; one equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate, but strong in will; to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
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