How long is too long to wait?

[smdemom]

Is there a time frame that says how long you can wait after the orchiectomy to begin radiation therapy for stage 1 seminoma? My husband was to go in on Jan. 8th for the simulation, but we have since decided to see a specialist that we can’t see until the 15th, which means the simulation has moved to the 16th. I am feeling great about seeing a specialist and getting a second opinion from someone who really knows about all this but I am starting to feel anxious about waiting too long. With Christmas over my mind isn’t as preoccupied and I now have too much time to think about everything.
Thanks,
~Michelle

[djmac]

Is there a time frame that says how long you can wait after the orchiectomy to begin radiation therapy for stage 1 seminoma? My husband was to go in on Jan. 8th for the simulation, but we have since decided to see a specialist that we can’t see until the 15th, which means the simulation has moved to the 16th. I am feeling great about seeing a specialist and getting a second opinion from someone who really knows about all this but I am starting to feel anxious about waiting too long. With Christmas over my mind isn’t as preoccupied and I now have too much time to think about everything.
Thanks,
~Michelle

Hi Michelle,

According to my Rad Onc, adjuvant radiation therapy can be administered anytime. However, if you wait too long, then you default to a surveillance schedule. In other words, if you wait too long, they will have to do more tests to insure that your husband is still stage I, and hasn't upstaged in the meantime. Essentially, he told me that if my next CT scan comes back clean, then he can do adjuvant RT immediately afterwards.

Note: No one actually does this...as he told me people choose surveillance or radiation, and stick to their decisions. But there are valid reasons for choosing radiation after a period of surveillance... maybe the person finds that surveillance is too tough on them, or maybe they are moving out of the area to a place where they're not sure of the quality of the medical care.

I hope this helps,

Regards,

djm

[Alex_G]

Hi Michelle,

I asked my doctor the same question not a long time ago.
Seminoma is not aggressive type of cancer and 8 days will not make the difference.
My doctor started radiation treatment after almost 3 month after orchiectomy. He wanted to let scar to heal first.

I hope this helps,

Alex

[Fed]

Hey Michelle,

I kinda am in the same boat with the waiting game. I received my path report results about 10 days ago, and my urologist was setting up my follow-up with the radiation oncologist. Unfortunately, the holidays have caused some delays, and I won't be meeting with the rad onc until a week from tomorrow. I am hoping that once I meet with her and the med onc, we can set up the treatment schedule and begin treatment promptly. While in our case (Stage I seminoma) a delay of a few days is unlikely to be a big deal clinically speaking, the waiting can certainly be nerve-racking. What gives me comfort is that even if there are delays, surveillance is a bona fide treatment option (80% likelihood that we are already cured). We really don't have any bad choices so long as we remain vigilant. Hope this helps out.

Best,

[smdemom]

Thank you all for the posts. I just have more time to think with all the Christmas rush behind us and it is all coming back to the forefront now. I have never been a patient person, and cancer tends to be a hurry up and wait kind of thing. Thank you all for the information!
~Michelle