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[Davepet]

Afraid tumor markers are only useful when positive, pretty much useless when negative, unless they just dropped from positive to negative recently.

Why did they allow an enlarged node to go untreated? Seems odd, to be honest

[Davepet]

Promoting awareness is a good thing, don't get me wrong.I can't count how many guys have posted in this forum that said they had no idea TC was even a thing, much less one they needed to look for. However, expecting survivors to become activists is just not realistic. Sure, some will want to help others,...

[Davepet]

Please note that hcg can go up due to low levels of testosterone:


A T level of 230 ng/dl is quite low unless you are in your 70's. I would pursue the T levels even though the hcg seems to have normalized.
Dave...

[Davepet]

LDH is an indicator of inflammation, there are dozens of reasons for it to be up at this point, most of them NOT cancer related. While it's worth keeping an eye on,, I wouldn't be concerned at your levels.

Dave

[Davepet]

For many, that is as much as they can handle, and is all that should be expected of anyone who has traveled this road.

For those who wish to do more, go for it! Just don't make the rest feel bad because they don't have it in them. Getting to survival takes a lot out of some of us.
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[Davepet]

Email Dr E & get his thoughts, since your docs aren't very helpful. Even on this forum, we have only seen a few cases of extra-gonadal tumors so afraid this is pretty rare & you should get an expert's opinion before making decisions.

Dave

[Davepet]

I am no doctor, nor am I an expert, but since teratoma is defined as "normal cells growing in abnormal places" by the Testicular Cancer Resource Center Dictionary, I suspect that the cases attributed to "transformation" of EC to teratoma are actually cases where teratoma was already...

[Davepet]

I suppose it's possible, but I really do not know. One thing to consider is that none of us are getting younger, and changes to the body are normal as we age. I do not know your age, but I started waking up with either my arm or hand "asleep" years before chemo happened. Whether chemo caused...

[Davepet]

While not conclusive, elevated WBC is more indicative of infection than TC, but the U/S should shed light on the problem. Let us know how things go.

Dave

[Davepet]

For me, each round was similar, just a bit more intense/uncomfortable.

As far as your signature, sounds lie you are doing it correctly, the forum software has been a bit flaky from time to time, I'd try again later.

Dave

[Davepet]

That is the best policy any time you find something irregular with a testicle. The U/S is a simple, quick test & is almost always conclusive one way or the other.

Dave...

[Davepet]

What pain meds are you on? they are notorious for causing constipation. If all else fails, apparently enemas rarely do.

Dave

[Davepet]

Fruit & nuts, as well, just basic healthy diet, really. There is no evidence that any diet offers any advantage.

[Davepet]

Probably normal. We tend to notice a lot of little things we wouldn't have once we get a TC Dx. Mention it at your next visit if it still feels odd.

Dave

[Davepet]

Glad to hear it, let us know how it's workingfor you.

Dave

[Davepet]

I don't know about all companies, but the small firm I work for requires one year of employment before a new hire is eligible for any of the benefits. I would imagine that a union job might cover you more quickly, but dues can be stiff.

Dave

[Davepet]

The subject of pain/no pain is interesting, because it is so difficult to nail down the cause of pain in many cases.If a guy has pain in that area, goes to a doc & they find TC, it's natural to assume the TC caused the pain. It's entirely possible the pain was from something else & it was just...

[Davepet]

Is your neuropathy painful or just numbness? I developed numbness in my fingers during chemo & it's still with me 7 years later, seems to come & go in intensity. Manipulating small parts & finding the zipper pull on my pants seems to be the most irritating part for me, but at least it's...

[Davepet]

Most cancer patient use this drug short term, I recall it as being anti-nausea med during chemotherapy, but not sure, so many drugs, so little time.

8 years later, no known side effects. Pretty sure it was used as one of several anti-nausea meds. Never got beyond a bit of queasy, but no...

[Davepet]

That assumption may be flawed. I would want an expert opinion before taking off a testicle without positive proof it needed to come out.TC can originate in areas outside of the testicles.

Dave...