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kewpie · 10-17-2005, 12:44 PM

I was diagnosed with testicular cancer 6 years ago, stage II non-seminoma, had the surgeries; orchiectomy along with retroperitoneal lymph node dissection with 3 out of 12 nodes positive followed by 2 cycles of chemo. Well I recently noticed another hard mass on my remaining testicle! I'm so scared because I'm positive it's definitely cancer! How could this happen to me again? But I'm not really sure how long it's been there because I really haven't been checking consistently. I can't stop thinking about all the horrible procedures I had to endure to get better! I feel stuck and don't know if I should call my oncologist or see my regular doctor about this! It's rather embarassing to discuss your problems over the phone with a female receptionist. However, hopefully they'll referal to the same urologist I saw the first time because I really liked him and he seemed to be the best doctor in my area in my opinion. However, I just saw my oncologist in July and my tumor markers had not increased or else my doctor would have informed me. Perhaps it's still very early or maybe it's seminoma and not non-seminoma? I'm trying to remain calm because so far all research indicates testicular cancer is very still curable...I hope!

Kewpie

CancerDad · 10-17-2005, 04:01 PM

Kewpie:
Good to hear from you, sorry for the circumstance. Remember... doesn't necessarilly mean cancer, and try not to freak until you have something to freak about. Call your oncologist... wait for him/her to call you back, explain your predicament, and ask for referral to the same uro. Are you sure your epydidimys (spelling?) is not inflamed... hardish mass at top (you know me Kewpie... you know I don't mean to insult your intelligence... I once had epydidimytis and thought it was something... this is why I ask.)

Remember, your onco is tracking markers, right? Maybe that's a comfort... sorry I can't write as much as I want to reassure you, the incision is burning and I have to lie down!!!! I will talk more later.

Warm Regards,
CancerDad

kewpie · 10-25-2005, 07:32 PM

CancerDad,

Hope you're feeling better!

To update you on my situation; I went to my urologist and he performed the ultrasound and isn't really sure if the mass is cancer, so there's always the possiblity it isn't. Last time he was able to determine it was a tumor just from the ultrasound. But he did order blood work and a CT scan anyway and wants me to have the orchiectomy so he can properly diagnose the situation and go from there. I'm not really sure what he plans to do, I guess if the pathologist confirms it's cancer he'll remove the entire testicle, but if it's not he'll just remove the mass. Do you know if the pathologist is on hand to confirm the diagnosis or will this require a second operation? Reguardless, he said testicular cancer is still VERY treatable so this is always relief if it does turn out to be cancer.

Thanks again and take care.
Kewpie

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