Biopsy-advice please!

[Lottoball]

At the beginning of June I ended my radiotherapy-sessions. In April I was diagnosed with seminoma Pt1. Fortunately the cancer didn't spread, however they saw a somewhat larger node. I had my first surveillance-CT-scan last week and I'm waiting for the results.

As I had a very unusual, slow growth of the tumor (during a year the docs were convinced it was only an inflammation, even after 3 ultrasounds!) I went to the most well-known TC-specialist in my country.

He adviced to do a biopsy of the remaining testicle, to see if there are some slight remarks of TC too. There was some calcium build-up in it, he told me. Taking a biopsy will be the same operation as the orchiectomy, because they have to take the testicle out, take the biopsy and put it back again.

I don't want this operation, of course, but my urologist recommends it stongly. Can you give me some advice, please?

Thanks!

[Karen]

Lottoball,
My advice is to get the results of this most recent CT as well as the previous CT, pathology report from your I/O and bloodwor and e-mail one of the experts at Sloan or IU. Regardsless of how good your doc is, I would to get as many opinions from the experts as possible before you potentially lose #2. How big is the node, where is it, and was it in the irradiated field? Now that I think of it, get a copy of your report from RT as well.

[Michael112]

to be honest, personally, I wouldnt go ahead with the biopsy, IF its cancer its most likely seminoma plus the fact its so slow growing it might be worth waiting cause eventually if its cancer it will show up on the u/s.

[Fish]

Greetings:

I agree with Karen and Michael, proceed cautiously and deliberately. Calcuim (microlithiasis) can indicate TC, but not always. I would personally want more information before having a biopsy. My doc also used an MRI to help diagnose the second TC. Try to get those second opinions as soon as possible.
Best wishes!

[Lottoball]

Hi,

Thanks for your comments!!

As I live in Europe, I don't have any addresses from TC-specialists in the USA (I only know dr. Einhorn, of course after reading the book from Lance Armstrong).

I would be nice if anyone can provide an address. Over here docs don't react that easily on e-mail questions from people they don't know. Hopefully docs in the US are more willingly to that kind of questions.

By the way, the node which they saw on the first TC (taken the day after my surgery) wasn't that big. They even think there's a big chance it had nothing to do with TC, but with a urinary tract infection, I had at that moment.

[Already Bald]

As I live in Europe, I don't have any addresses from TC-specialists in the USA (I only know dr. Einhorn, of course after reading the book from Lance Armstrong).

I would be nice if anyone can provide an address.

Here is a list of TC Experts worldwide.
I'm sure that they will all speak with you, however it may go faster if your doctor contacts one of they for a consult:

http://tcrc.acor.org/experts.html

Best,