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  • #1

    First Post

    Hey everyone!

    This is a great website and I'm glad I found it. There is a wealth of information here!

    I had a left I/O two weeks ago today (woo-hoo!) and am feeling a little lighter on one side (if you know what I mean)... My urologist here in L.A. said my tumor was Stage I and 60% embryonal and 40% seminoma, with possible VI.

    My oncologist (and my urologist) here in L.A. said that my CT scans showed no cancer and my blood work was normal. My urologist said I have three options: RPLND, 2xBEP, or surveillance.

    My oncologist knows the doctors at Indiana University very well and he spoke to them about me and the IU doctor (Williams, I think) said based on my case I had two options, RPLND or surveillance. He did not recommend chemo. Right now, I'm leaning towards surveillance.

    I'm going to be in NY next week for vacation and was leaning towards going to Sloan-Kettering for a third opinion. Just curious if anyone on the board here can recommend any doctors at S-K. Also, based on my diagnosis, I was wondering what you guys thought about my choice of surveillance.

    Thanks in advance for your input and thanks again for the website!
    Last edited by L.A. Chimp; 11-15-06, 06:17 PM.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Welcome! Surveillance is a fine choice; you just need to stick to the schedule and be prepared for the possibility of chemotherapy in case of recurrence. (I suspect Sloan would recommend RPLND.)
    Scott
    right inguinal orchiectomy 6/5/2003 > nonseminoma, stage I > surveillance > L-RPLND 6/24/2005 for recurrence, suspected teratoma but found seminoma, stage II > chylous ascites until 9/2005 > surveillance and "all clear" since

    Your donation funds Livestrong services for people facing cancer now. Please sponsor my ride!

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    • #3
      Thank you!

      Comment

      • #4
        LA chimp,

        click on my name and see my post "new member..."

        I did fly to indy for my 2nd opinion, similar situation as you...and chose surveillance...I did end up having to go thru chemo after only 2 months of surveillance as my markers went from normal to increasing and had a mass show up in my CT scan...

        but even if I had to do it again, I'd choose surveillance....the odds are in your favor...you are in an exceptionally good risk category.

        please be certain though to keep up with your monthly checkups...
        - lump first noticed 11/20/2005
        - I/O right Dec 8, 2005
        - 95% embryonal / 5% seminoma
        - normal markers PRE surgery
        - no vascular invasion, tunica free of cancer, epididymis free of cancer, lungs free, lymph free
        - Stage I diagnosis
        - surveillance
        - mid feb '06, beta hcg slightly elevated = 4.6...small enlarged lower node seen on CT scan...
        - 3BEP began feb 20, 2006
        - finished 3 BEP, last bleo, april 17, 2006
        - CT scan, blood markers, chest..all clear
        - back on surveillance

        Comment

        • #5
          The doctors to see at Sloan are:

          Dr Robert Motzer
          Associate Chairman for Clinical Trials, Department of Medicine
          Phone: (646) 422-4312

          Dr George Bosl
          Chairman, Department of Medicine
          Patrick M. Byrne Chair in Clinical Oncology
          Phone: (212) 639-8473
          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

          • #6
            Thanks for all the info guys. I will keep you posted.

            Comment

            • #7
              If I were in your shoes, I'd opt surveillance. I was 85% sem./ 15% EC w/ VI/LI; has worked for me so far...18 mo. out. (Also check out Kman's story whose make-up more closely resembles yours, I believe.)

              RPLND and Chemo appear not to be a walk-in-the-park. Save it for when it's really needed.

              /M




              Originally posted by L.A. Chimp
              Hey everyone!

              This is a great website and I'm glad I found it. There is a wealth of information here!

              I had a left I/O two weeks ago today (woo-hoo!) and am feeling a little lighter on one side (if you know what I mean)... My urologist here in L.A. said my tumor was Stage I and 60% embryonal and 40% seminoma, with possible VI.

              My oncologist (and my urologist) here in L.A. said that my CT scans showed no cancer and my blood work was normal. My urologist said I have three options: RPLND, 2xBEP, or surveillance.

              My oncologist knows the doctors at Indiana University very well and he spoke to them about me and the IU doctor (Williams, I think) said based on my case I had two options, RPLND or surveillance. He did not recommend chemo. Right now, I'm leaning towards surveillance.

              I'm going to be in NY next week for vacation and was leaning towards going to Sloan-Kettering for a third opinion. Just curious if anyone on the board here can recommend any doctors at S-K. Also, based on my diagnosis, I was wondering what you guys thought about my choice of surveillance.

              Thanks in advance for your input and thanks again for the website!

              Comment

              • #8
                Just got the results back from my first surveillance appointment -- blood work and x-rays all came back normal! 1 down, 11 more to go this year....

                Comment

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