Another operation, and questions

[GeoffH]

Rplnd

After talking again with my wife, and trying to see an oncologist this time around, we are leaning towards the operation. It has been over a year from the first orchiectomy and all tests show no sign of spreading. Remember there was a tumor in me for that entire year as well, but the tests never showed it was cancer either. Just had the ultrasound to go on to know it was there. The second case was 99% seminoma. I know they like to do radiation for that and not the RPLND. My thoughts are this. I have had 3 jobs scense the original operation back in Oct of 05. I have had to also move from one state to another. We lost two pregnancy's as well. I am leaning toward the RPLND to try to avoid a possible re-accurance in the future. I am currently living with my in-laws and have no rent. I worry that in a year or more, that if I have rent, hopefully pregnant or with a baby that I will have to have the RPLND or chemo at a less conveniant time. Also, if it has spread to the lymph nodes, how do they know what side it came from? Left side (S), or right side (NS)? So what do they do then? I just thought I would give more information on how I am thinking and having to look at this.

[Scott]

I imagine if there's a possibility it isn't pure seminoma that you haven't decided on further treatment yet. Maybe surveillance, though?

[GeoffH]

Pathology

Well, had a visit with the Dr today. He said it was Seminoma Stage 1. He did mention that there was a small 1% of some unknow type of cells that he needs to talk to the Pathologist about.

[dadmo]

The only thing that is important in treatment is to have the staging done correctly.

[GeoffH]

Another though

Well, I stopped taking hard core pain killers, the ones the doctor gives, and just taking over the counter stuff for the pain. And that is not but maybe three times a day. I am already on the injections for my hormone replacement as I had signs of that a few months ago. So far every time I get a CT or chest x-ray they come back clear. My wounder is this, I have know that it has been there for over a year now. Does that make a difference on how to treat it? Is that a long time for it to have been there? I have my follow up doctors visit on tuesday so hopefully I get pathology then as well.

[Fish]

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.

[nlferraro19]

Oh yeah, did you have a CT scan done? If so, what did it reveal? Hoping everything is "ALL CLEAR"!!

[nlferraro19]

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)

[dadmo]

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.

[GeoffH]

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.

[Fish]

Geoff:

I hope everything goes well today.

best wishes.

[Rob2time]

Good Luck Tomorrow

Good luck tomorrow, I hope it turns out OK. Please let us know how it went!

[GeoffH]

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.

[Alex_G]

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.

[GeoffH]

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?