Men's Health

[Redrock12]

The tumour in my testicle has been confirmed as a seminoma, which is a type of malignant cancer. Specialists at a hospital in another city close to me will look at my case to determine whether they think I need other treatments or, in light of the negative CT scans, whether the removal of the testicle followed by regular monitoring will be enough.

IMHO, might be a good idea to get a second, or even third, opinion on whether or not to get other treatments T.C.. A year ago from last September my oncologist wanted to put me on radiation treatments in order to drop my PSA count from a consistent 1.5 to below 1. Told him I'd get back to him in a couple of weeks with my answer. Talked to a GP with a lot of years practice and a nurse with 30 years, and both told me in no uncertain terms NOT to have the treatment.
A few months later, due to my PSA increasing from a consistent 1.5 to a one-time 2.7 he wanted to put me on a chemo regimen of two fairly strong pills, one of which was prednizone, can't remember the other but it was very strong. I refused this treatment as well because I felt just fine, and the PSA dropped back to the familiar 1.5, which it's been for the past five years, since I started the Eligarde treatments, which are very benign, require only day surgery every three months. In fact, I often forget I have prostate cancer.
Well, hope this helps T,C. and all the best, whatever you decide and I'm praying for the best possible outcome.
FWIW

 

[Gaby]

According to guidelines, the overall prognosis of patients with stage I testicular seminoma is excellent following surgery. For most patients, surveillance is the only approach, given low relapse rates, excellent long-term overall survival (>95 percent), and avoidance of unnecessary chemotherapy toxicity with this approach.

For patients unwilling to do only surveillance, one or two cycles of carboplatin is usually suggested. Adjuvant radiotherapy is an alternative for those who decline adjuvant chemotherapy and surveillance alone.

Sounds like surveillance is overall the best approach.

 

[T.C.]

I'm sorry to hear that, T.C. It'll be good to know what all your options are and maybe look at the success rate, if such data exists, of each possible/recommended approach. In the meantime though, just know that you're in my thoughts and prayers and hopes that you'll find the best possible way to eradicating the cancer, and enjoying great good health going forward

Thanks, Ennio.

Of course, I had been hoping that when the results came back, it would be just a benign tumour. But having done my research, I already know ( as Gaby says) that as far as cancers go, a seminoma has very high survivability.

As Redrock says, I’m not sure I would want to straight up follow a specialist’s advice if they suggested chemo in my case. The CT scans have been analysed by specialists and they can’t see anything. Looking at the statistics, again as Gaby says, removal of the cancerous testicle seems to get the job over and done with in most cases. As was flashgordonv’s experience, I’d be happy with regular monitoring for a while, reducing over time.

 

[Chu]

As Redrock says, I’m not sure I would want to straight up follow a specialist’s advice if they suggested chemo in my case. The CT scans have been analysed by specialists and they can’t see anything. Looking at the statistics, again as Gaby says, removal of the cancerous testicle seems to get the job over and done with in most cases. As was flashgordonv’s experience, I’d be happy with regular monitoring for a while, reducing over time.

Yes. You can see what the offered options are, and then make an informed decision. But it sounds like you have done the most important already. Now being diligent about your personal Work, your nutrition, etc. AND being "religious" about the checkups sounds very promising.

 

[Learner]

I am sorry to hear that result, T.C. But gladfully, like others said, it doesn't seem aggressive like other cancerous types. And as I gathered that sometimes benign tumors, polyps and cysts can become malignant it might be the other way around as well, that with enough care-taking including mental balance, good nutrition and supervision a malignant tumor could convert into a benign form either.

Just thinking, meanwhile keeping you in my thoughts while prayers continue.

 

[Z...]

Perhaps this will put your mind at ease a bit.
At 23 my school mate was diagnosed with testicular cancer when it had already spread to his lungs. He went through the whole hog - chemo and radiation and was cured.
25 years later he seems to be in good health and all along he was boozing, smoking and not just tobacco and has no idea what healthy nutrition or lifestyle is.
Obviously he was Pfizerised several times in last years - still standing and seems to be in good health.
I’d say odds are in your favor TC

 

[Mrs. Peel]

I’d be happy with regular monitoring for a while, reducing over time.

Perhaps you may want to add a low maintenance dose of fenben also.

 

[Mikkael]

Hi T.C.
I just learned about your health problem, which thankfully you seem to be out of danger now and recovering after surgery. Keep your spirit up, sending my prayers too!

 

[T.C.]

Just had my consultation with the oncologist.

I’m a bit disappointed. At this time, they are classing it as a stage 1, which is good. But the problem is that my tumour is what they consider to be a ‘large’ one. Anything over 4cm, and mine was 6cm.

On top of that, the tumour had spread into the head of the testicle that leads to the cord that the testicle is attached to.

These factors together put me at a 30% risk of developing cancer again.

I really don’t want chemo due to the expected short-term side-effects, and then the possible long-term ones, but if I choose, I can have a single dose of carboplatin. There’ll be a couple of days in hospital required, and then another two to four weeks off work to recover from it.

If I have it, it’ll reduce the risk of my cancer coming back down to just 5%.

The other option is, as we’ve mentioned before in the thread. We monitor. Regular blood tests and semi-regular CT scans.

I’m gonna take a day or two to think about it.

 

[Mrs. Peel]

If I have it, it’ll reduce the risk of my cancer coming back down to just 5%.

The other option is, as we’ve mentioned before in the thread. We monitor. Regular blood tests and semi-regular CT scans.

I’m gonna take a day or two to think about it.

My partner was given oxaliplatin first, also a platinum-based cancer drug. He had 12 rounds and had an anaphylactic reaction after only 9 seconds of the drip going in on the last one. A friend of his with appendical (appendix) cancer was also given oxaliplatin, and refused it further after only one dose because of the severity of the side effects.

Here's an article talking about platinum-based drugs.

Platinum-based drugs for cancer therapy and anti-tumor strategies

Platinum-based drugs cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin are widely used for chemotherapeutic eradication of cancer. However, the side effects of platinum drugs, such as lack of selectivity, high systemic toxicity, and drug resistance, seriously limit ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

If you decide to take the "wait and see" approach, you can also do a maintenance protocol of alternative therapies and supplements.

Best of luck!

 

[Joe]

I really don’t want chemo due to the expected short-term side-effects, and then the possible long-term ones, but if I choose, I can have a single dose of carboplatin. There’ll be a couple of days in hospital required, and then another two to four weeks off work to recover from it.

If I have it, it’ll reduce the risk of my cancer coming back down to just 5%.

Obviously this is easy for me to say, but I think if I were in your shoes I'd go with the above. Wishing you well whatever you decide.

 

[T.C.]

@Mrs. Peel When you say he was given oxaliplatin “first”, does that mean he was switched to a different one?

 

[Mrs. Peel]

@Mrs. Peel When you say he was given oxaliplatin “first”, does that mean he was switched to a different one?

That was the drug for the first course of chemo. Three months later, some of the cancer had come back. They could not give him the same drug because of the reaction, so he had a different one for the next course.

 

[T.C.]

That was the drug for the first course of chemo. Three months later, some of the cancer had come back. They could not give him the same drug because of the reaction, so he had a different one for the next course.

So, he did better on the one they switched to?

 

[Mrs. Peel]

So, he did better on the one they switched to?

No. Actually it didn't work as good as the first. He didn't have as many side effects with the second so I guess it wasn't as toxic as the first one. Some of the cancer was still there, a little had grown. He then had radiation on a small tumor. Because he has some sort of gene mutation, not all chemo drugs will be effective. He is taking a pill now and we have a scan sometime this month to see what's going on.