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Pre CT jitters ?

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  • #1

    Pre CT jitters ?

    I have my first post I/O CT scan next month. In the past few days I have started having these sometimes dull sometimes sharp pains at different points in my abdomen and lower chest. Plus a dull ache in my lower back when I run (kinda feels like a kidney infection).

    The pains in the abdomen sort of feel like gas pains but in weird places and about four different spots.

    So anyway I am starting to get scared that the cancer has spread. I might get my doctor to do a tumor marker next week when I get my cholesterol checked just to ease my mind.

    Thanks for listening!
    08/28/07: Diagnosed Stage 1A nonseminoma (65% teratoma (mature and immature), 10% embyonal carcinoma, 25% yolk sac); AFP: 120 ng/ml HCG: 6.8 IU/L
    09/05/07: Right I/O; Clean CT
    09/13/07: AFP: 41 ng/ml HCG: 0.5 IU/L
    09/26/07: AFP: 12 ng/ml HCG: <2
    10/22/07: AFP: 2.2 ng/ml HCG: <2
    Surveillance All Clears: 11/09/07; 04/20/08;
    Tags: None
  • #2
    I learned the hard way to always listen to your body. My son had been telling me for 6 months his chest hurt before his diagnosis.

    I would encourage you to get your levels checked and if you are still hurting move the CT up.

    Hugs,
    Pam
    Son Les diagnosed 5/7/07-Right I/0 5/9/07-Stage 3C Non-seminoma Mixed Cell Germ Tumor-Tumors in liver, lungs, lymph nodes, brain-4XBED Finished 7/31/07 HCG 9 tumors smaller, brain lesion gone-9/30/07 HCG 999-TIPx4 started 10/2/07, IU 11/29 Told he had Choriocarcinoma Syndrome HDC and Stem Cell Transplant to begin 1/3/08 Finished Transplant 3/1/08 HDC and Stem Cell Transplant Failure 3/20. 4/17 RPLND & Liver resection, Molecular profiling of tumor, 6/2 Hospice Services- Passed Away 12/12/08

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    • #3
      Even though you should always get your markers checked at every CT visit, I think that it is possible you may have "scanitis", the feeling of anxiety associated with an upcoming surveillance test. Even though you may feel stressed right now, if for any reason this is real, the scan will pick it up (and since the markers should be standard, that will give you some info as well). Do post when you know your results.
      "Life moves pretty fast; if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." -Ferris Bueller
      11.22.06 -Dx the day before Thanksgiving
      12.09.06 -Rt I/O; 100% seminoma, multifocal; Stage I-A; Surveillance; Six years out! I consider myself cured.

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      • #4
        I think that it is possible you may have "scanitis"
        You are probably right, but I think I am still going to get my markers while I get my cholesterol checked.

        Will Teratoma raise your tumor markers?? My second opinion showed that I have 64% immature and mature teratoma. I have not read anything suggesting that teratoma would show in a marker test.

        I will keep a close eye on my pains, but I think I am also just getting in to the everything is cancer phase. I also got this way the week before I had my I\O. I was sure it had spread to my lungs, but I ended up getting a clean CT.
        08/28/07: Diagnosed Stage 1A nonseminoma (65% teratoma (mature and immature), 10% embyonal carcinoma, 25% yolk sac); AFP: 120 ng/ml HCG: 6.8 IU/L
        09/05/07: Right I/O; Clean CT
        09/13/07: AFP: 41 ng/ml HCG: 0.5 IU/L
        09/26/07: AFP: 12 ng/ml HCG: <2
        10/22/07: AFP: 2.2 ng/ml HCG: <2
        Surveillance All Clears: 11/09/07; 04/20/08;

        Comment

        • #5
          Originally posted by Physast
          Will Teratoma raise your tumor markers?? My second opinion showed that I have 64% immature and mature teratoma. I have not read anything suggesting that teratoma would show in a marker test.
          You're probably right. Teratoma is one of the least predictable cells, so markers may not even be present. I have a paper on marker production, but it's back in my computer in Boston (I'm in Austin right now). Regardless, the yolk sac component can produce AFP, so that may give you hints. Getting your markers done is a piece of cake, and it should help ease your concerns.
          "Life moves pretty fast; if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." -Ferris Bueller
          11.22.06 -Dx the day before Thanksgiving
          12.09.06 -Rt I/O; 100% seminoma, multifocal; Stage I-A; Surveillance; Six years out! I consider myself cured.

          Comment

          • #6
            Teratoma: 37% express AFP and 25% express beta HCG
            Yolk sac: 75% express AFP and 25% express beta HCG
            Embryonal cell carcinoma: 70% express AFP and 60% express beta HCG

            Both your markers were elevated pre I/O, but teretoma has less of a chance of showing marker elevation. The pre-follow up anxiety is very common and id unfortunatelty something we all deal with. If your doc will order markers for your peace of mind then go for it. What's your follow up schedule?
            Retired moderator. Husband, left I/O 16Dec2005, stage I seminoma with elevated b-HCG, no LVI, RTx15 (25Gy). All clear ever since.

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            • #7
              Originally posted by Karen
              Teratoma: 37% express AFP and 25% express beta HCG
              Yolk sac: 75% express AFP and 25% express beta HCG
              Embryonal cell carcinoma: 70% express AFP and 60% express beta HCG

              Both your markers were elevated pre I/O, but teretoma has less of a chance of showing marker elevation. The pre-follow up anxiety is very common and id unfortunatelty something we all deal with. If your doc will order markers for your peace of mind then go for it. What's your follow up schedule?

              I have no follow up schedule yet. I have an appointment at Sloan November 8th and will probably (I suspect) will be given the details of my surveillance then. I also expect Dr. Joel S. to push the RLPND just from what I have heard on this forum.
              08/28/07: Diagnosed Stage 1A nonseminoma (65% teratoma (mature and immature), 10% embyonal carcinoma, 25% yolk sac); AFP: 120 ng/ml HCG: 6.8 IU/L
              09/05/07: Right I/O; Clean CT
              09/13/07: AFP: 41 ng/ml HCG: 0.5 IU/L
              09/26/07: AFP: 12 ng/ml HCG: <2
              10/22/07: AFP: 2.2 ng/ml HCG: <2
              Surveillance All Clears: 11/09/07; 04/20/08;

              Comment

              • #8
                I would think Dr. S will discuss the RPLND option but with no evidence of invasion he may not push too hard.
                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.

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