Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Final pathology findings.....

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
  • #1

    Final pathology findings.....

    finally, we got back Brian's liver pathology......

    ALL CLEAN!!! EXCEPT FOR A SMALL FOCUS OF TERATOMA......
    but i guess its ok, as long as the teratoma was removed?....

    here is my next question, Brians #'s have been 2.7 for about a month now, because that teratoma was removed, does that mean his markers could come down to zero? or does teratoma not elevate the HCG?... i know he still has to have the RPLND, but i was wondering if the removal of the liver teratoma could drop the HCG to zero.

    Dawn
    Fiance Brian, dx:stage IIIC non-sem 4/18/07
    mets to lungs,liver,abdomin,large tumor near kidney
    hcg was 176,000!
    completed 1 rnd of TIP(had bad reaction to taxol)
    BEPx3 until 7/13/07
    7/26/07 post chemo ct-scan shwd shrinkage & fewer lung tumors
    10/17/07 @ MSKCC Liver FREE of cancer! necrotic & small focus of teratoma.
    AFP & HCG normal
    12/7/07 RPLND,right orchiectomy @ MSKCC
    12/18/07, rcvd pathology,all clear! no cancer!
    2/11/08 -Lung surgery dne @ MSKCC
    ALL CLEAR
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Dawn, your patience has been rewarded. It's actually good that they found the small focus of teratoma and resected it, since it cannot be destroyed by the chemo.

    As far as your marker question, that's hard to tell with teratoma. Since teratoma behaves like the components it differentiates into, it's marker production is very unpredictable. As long as the HCG is below 3 (and it doesn't have to be exactly 3... give or take a few tenths of a unit), he should be in good shape.

    So now, don't look back. It's time to tackle the next hurdle, which will be the RPLND. My take is that Brian is in great shape, and I am optimistic about him making a great recovery. Enjoy your weekend!
    "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

    • #3
      Hi Dawn, I can't help you medically because I am not sure how to answer your questions, but I wanted to say that I am happy that the news looks so good!!!!
      Co-survivor with husband Boyce, Diagnosed 7-11-06, orchiectomy right testicle on 7-12-06- Stage 3A: Mixed germ cell tumor with inguinal seminomatous and kartotypic carcinoma. One tumor over 10 cm, second tumor 4 cm, Chemo 4xBEP: Bi-lateral RPLND Dec 2006, nerve sparing but left sterile.
      Current DVT
      Current testosterone replacement therapy, Testim.

      "You must abandon the life you planned, to live the life that was meant for you" ~wisdom I have learned from my family on this forum

      Comment

      • #4
        What great news Dawn!

        Becki

        Husband Right I/O 09/06
        -70% Embryonal Carcinoma
        -20% Teratoma
        -10% Yolk Sac Tumor
        11/06- lymph nodes 1.8x1.4 and 1.9x1.4
        12/06-PET Scan confirms activity in lymph nodes, lymph nodes 2.2x2.2 and 2.4x2.3
        1/07-Start 3xBEP
        4/07-PET clear, lymph nodes down to 1.1x0.5 and 1.8x1.0
        6/07-lymph nodes 1.2x1.0 and 1.9x.9
        8/07-lymph nodes 1.1x1.0 and 2.0x1.2
        10/07-lymph nodes 2.0x1.5 and 2.7x1.8
        11/07- PostChemo LRPLND-found burnt out teratoma
        11/09-Enlarging lymph node 1.2 cm near renal veins

        Comment

        • #5
          Dawn,
          Great news!!
          Thanks for posting.
          Stage III. Embryonal Carcinoma, Mature Teratoma, Choriocarcinoma.
          Diagnosed 4/19/06, Right I/O 4/21/06, RPLND 6/21/06, 4xEP, All Clear 1/29/07, RPLND Incisional Hernia Surgery 11/24/08, Hydrocelectomy and Vasectomy 11/23/09.

          Please see a physician for medical advice!

          My 2013 LiveSTRONG Site
          The 2013 Already Balders

          Comment

          • #6
            Dawn -

            I know the final pathology is a great relief to you!!! Wonderful news.

            I'm sorry I don't know about the HcG/teratoma question.
            Rob and Stacy
            DX: 3/10/05, AFP: 15,047, L I/O: 3/28/05, Yolk sac tumor & teratoma, Stage IIIC, 3xBEP & 1xEP: 4/4/07 - 6/25/07, AFP: 14, RPLND 8/10/07, w. left kidney removed. 10/19/07, AFP: 1.9

            Comment

            • #7
              HCG reaching zero

              Dawn,

              Great news on the pathology. I am happy for you guys!

              As for the HCG. It may NEVER be zero. My husbands lowest ever was 0.5. It is currently 2.5. He just had it drawn last week for the first time in 3 months. It has flucuated for 16 months between 0.5-2.8. He is currently 16 months out and it is still not zero. It never has been and Dr. Einhorn says it probably never will be zero. Dr. Einhorn is OK with 2.5. In fact he was so OK with this that he told my husband he would not need to see him again for 6 months. He also said his chance of reoccurence now is about 2%.

              Bottle line try not to focus on zero. Insetad focus on normal - which is what Brian's markers are.

              Erin
              Erin (caregiver)
              Hubby Stage IIIC Diagnosed 10/27/05,
              HCG 512,000 AFP 636 LDH 1012, I&O 10/28/05
              1 x EP, 2 x VIP, then 2 x BEP (10/31/05-1/06)
              Sterotactic Radiation to two brain tumors 12/05
              Sterotactic Radiation to new brain tumor 4/4/06
              Whole brain radiation 4/15 -5/18/06
              Tandem High dose chemo and stem cell 6/5/06-7/31/06 - markers normalized
              RPLND with 9cm x 24 cm abd mass removal 9/14/06 - Only teratoma and necrotic tissue removed
              Currently on surveillance

              Comment

              • #8
                The news is good, Dawn!

                And Erin......WHOOO HOOOO!!!!!!! When I first joined you were dealing with the brain tumor diagnosis and I was so worried for you and your hubby. But now look! A frightening situation has turned around to a 2% chance of recurrance and visits every 6 months! You must be so relieved!
                Retired moderator. Husband, left I/O 16Dec2005, stage I seminoma with elevated b-HCG, no LVI, RTx15 (25Gy). All clear ever since.

                Comment

                • #9
                  Interesting....

                  Dr. Jarnigan called Brian the other night to see how he was feeling. when Brian was 1st told that he had cancer and it spread to his liver, we thought, OH MY GOD! his liver is filled with cancer, .... Dr. jarnigan explained that there were only 2 out of the 4 tumors in his liver, had cancer in the beginning.. this confuses me, how could only 2 be cancerous? well, i will trust the dr., but i am a bit confused. but the most important thing is that it is gone

                  Dawn
                  Fiance Brian, dx:stage IIIC non-sem 4/18/07
                  mets to lungs,liver,abdomin,large tumor near kidney
                  hcg was 176,000!
                  completed 1 rnd of TIP(had bad reaction to taxol)
                  BEPx3 until 7/13/07
                  7/26/07 post chemo ct-scan shwd shrinkage & fewer lung tumors
                  10/17/07 @ MSKCC Liver FREE of cancer! necrotic & small focus of teratoma.
                  AFP & HCG normal
                  12/7/07 RPLND,right orchiectomy @ MSKCC
                  12/18/07, rcvd pathology,all clear! no cancer!
                  2/11/08 -Lung surgery dne @ MSKCC
                  ALL CLEAR

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Thanks

                    Thank you Karen. We are very relieved. I try not to post on here to much because A) I simply am tired of talking about cancer and B) I know there are people on this forum who are not as lucky. I feel almost like I am rubbing good news in.

                    That being said when we were going through what we were going through I had a VERY hard time finding anyone who had gone through high dose and it was successful. I want others to know who are in the position we were that there is hope and a cure is possible. If anyone ever needs any information or to talk about high dose and advanced TC please let me know. I thought about posting our story on the TCRC website but do not think I am ready to do so yet.

                    So yes, thank god for a cure, thank god for Dr. Einhorn. Our story goes to show that advanced cases of TC can and will be cured!

                    Erin
                    Erin (caregiver)
                    Hubby Stage IIIC Diagnosed 10/27/05,
                    HCG 512,000 AFP 636 LDH 1012, I&O 10/28/05
                    1 x EP, 2 x VIP, then 2 x BEP (10/31/05-1/06)
                    Sterotactic Radiation to two brain tumors 12/05
                    Sterotactic Radiation to new brain tumor 4/4/06
                    Whole brain radiation 4/15 -5/18/06
                    Tandem High dose chemo and stem cell 6/5/06-7/31/06 - markers normalized
                    RPLND with 9cm x 24 cm abd mass removal 9/14/06 - Only teratoma and necrotic tissue removed
                    Currently on surveillance

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      2% chance of recurrence. Thats beyond wonderful, especially considering how advanced he was.

                      This question has been on my mind lately, because I have been reading more studys about post chemo residual cancer, which was the case for my son.
                      I read some of these studies earlier in his treatment, but at that time I wasn't focused on what they said about residual disease, because he was going through "first line" chemo treatment.

                      His markers were normal before he completed chemo, but AFP began increasing about 3 to 4 weeks later. Sometimes I'm not sure how to label this-

                      residual disease
                      partial remission
                      relapse
                      refractory-

                      But the studys I have read say that post chemo residual disease carries an unfavorable prognosis. I have been searching for information, updated studys, or something that show differently.

                      I have seen people on the forum that have had relapse's, and are doing well after HDC or other second line treatment, so I know it can still be cured. I'd still like to read a study that says he is still "good risk" as he was when first diagnosed.

                      If anyone has anything, please pass it this way

                      Son Anthony DX 12/11/06
                      L/O 12/20/06 Stage IIIA, 95% EC, 5% Yolk Sac
                      4XEP 1/29-4/6/ 07
                      AFP started increasing3 wks later
                      Residual abdominal mass found on CT
                      RPLND 6/8/07
                      Cancer in pathology-
                      80% mature teratoma, 20% Yolk Sac. --
                      No adjuvent chemo and
                      AFP normalised

                      July 22, 2010 ---- 3 years all clear!

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Congratulations Brian and Dawn...

                        I KNOW how relieved you both are

                        hugs

                        Son Anthony DX 12/11/06
                        L/O 12/20/06 Stage IIIA, 95% EC, 5% Yolk Sac
                        4XEP 1/29-4/6/ 07
                        AFP started increasing3 wks later
                        Residual abdominal mass found on CT
                        RPLND 6/8/07
                        Cancer in pathology-
                        80% mature teratoma, 20% Yolk Sac. --
                        No adjuvent chemo and
                        AFP normalised

                        July 22, 2010 ---- 3 years all clear!

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Dawn and Brian:

                          Just getting caught up on the posts.

                          So glad to hear your good news!
                          Fish
                          TC1
                          Right I/O 4/22/1988
                          RPLND 6/20/1988
                          TC2
                          Left I/O 9/17/2003
                          Surveillance

                          Tho' much is taken, much abides; and though we are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; one equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate, but strong in will; to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Wonderful news Dawn. I like all of the others are very happy to hear things are going well. Best of luck to you and Brian.
                            If you look for the truth outside yourself, it gets farther and farther away. ~ Tung-Shan
                            If you love life, don't waste time, for time is what life is made up of. ~ Bruce Lee
                            Please sponsor me for the 2011 LiveSTRONG Challenge Philadelphia.
                            My Blog

                            Diagonosed 1988. Left I/O - 3 rounds of chemo
                            Relasped 1989. RPLND - 3 rounds HDC - Bone Marrow transplant.
                            There is Army Strong, There is Live Strong and then there is me. Crazy Strong

                            Comment

                            Previous template Next
                            Working...
                            X