Hi there, I'm no stranger here so I'll just get right to the details! I started with surveillance and a non-seminoma stage 1b diagnoses, relapsed into stage 2a at the 3 month mark, and went through BEPx3. A month after chemo, tumor markers were normal and the CT scan showed no residual masses. I had an additional 3 followup appointments at 2 months apart and tumor markers have been since been normal. In total, I am 7 months removed from chemotherapy with normal markers. I was told further scans would just be unnecessary radiation (which I'm on board with). My oncologist scheduled my next appointment for 6 months out and is very confident I'm rid of this disease. Statistically speaking, I know I am too, like 99% sure. But as we know our human emotions trump our logical side. It won't keep me up at night, but is 6 months too far out considering I'm still in my first year following chemo? I'm also familiar with the NCCN guidelines, which definitely take a more aggressive followup approach (every 2 months the first year). My oncologist (who's great), on the other hand, takes a more conservative approach. My oncologist said I could come in at the 3 month mark if I really wanted to. I have to keep in mind that if I do go for an additional appointment + blood draw at the 3 month mark, it's like $400 even with insurance (deductibles...). I'm extremely grateful for where I'm at.
10/26/17 AFP 1.0 (Diagnosed TC Stage 1B, Pure Embryonal Carcinoma; Normal Markers)
12/11/17 AFP 0.9 (After Orchiectomy; Normal Markers)
2/22/18 AFP 4.95 (Relapse at 3 month surveillance with 2 nodes both under 2cm; Elevated Markers)
3/5/18 AFP 5.91 (Taken at start of BEPx3; Elevated Markers)
3/26/18 AFP 1.8 (Start of cycle 2)
4/16/18 AFP 1.9 (Start of cycle 3)
5/30/18 AFP 1.4 (After cycle 3 + 4 weeks removed from chemotherapy; Normal Markers)
***CT Scan Shows NO RESIDUAL MASSES and Tumor Markers NORMAL***
8/1/18 AFP 1.2 (+2 Month followup)
10/1/18 AFP 1.2 (+2 Month followup)
12/3/18 AFP 1.6 (+2 Month followup)
5/1/13 ..... (+6 Month followup)
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tdlr; 7 months removed from chemotherapy with normal markers and no residual masses on CT scan. Is 6 months until next blood draw too long?
10/26/17 AFP 1.0 (Diagnosed TC Stage 1B, Pure Embryonal Carcinoma; Normal Markers)
12/11/17 AFP 0.9 (After Orchiectomy; Normal Markers)
2/22/18 AFP 4.95 (Relapse at 3 month surveillance with 2 nodes both under 2cm; Elevated Markers)
3/5/18 AFP 5.91 (Taken at start of BEPx3; Elevated Markers)
3/26/18 AFP 1.8 (Start of cycle 2)
4/16/18 AFP 1.9 (Start of cycle 3)
5/30/18 AFP 1.4 (After cycle 3 + 4 weeks removed from chemotherapy; Normal Markers)
***CT Scan Shows NO RESIDUAL MASSES and Tumor Markers NORMAL***
8/1/18 AFP 1.2 (+2 Month followup)
10/1/18 AFP 1.2 (+2 Month followup)
12/3/18 AFP 1.6 (+2 Month followup)
5/1/13 ..... (+6 Month followup)
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tdlr; 7 months removed from chemotherapy with normal markers and no residual masses on CT scan. Is 6 months until next blood draw too long?
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