Nervous about pathology report and future

[anderso]

Just had my orichectomy on Thursday for the left side. The family was told the size was 7cm. I couldn't do anything before because I didn't have insurance until getting minnesotacare june1. The urologist told me that it looks like the cancer has not spread. My CT scan was clear as was my bloodwork other than the normal signs. I get my report on Friday morning. What are the chances of needing radiation? The urologist is also surprised it doesn't seem to spread. Is this unusual?

[Geoff]

It's hard to say what is normal or not in regard to size, timing and the spread of disease. Every case is different.

In regard to treatment, unfortunately you just need to wait for your pathology report. That will let you know what your options are. It may be just surveillance, which is a regular schedule of CT scans, x-rays and bloodwork.

[Paul54]

Anderso,
Welcome to the club, with regrets for the admission price. It's too early to talk about odds of needing anything until the pathology is finalized. Clean imaging and blood tests are good signs.Your doctor may have been surprised about lack of apparent spread since your tumor is "large" (anything above 4 cm is considered large). With luck, a good option might be surveillance alone, meaning several years of CT's, Xrays, and blood tests. That's what I'm following.

Don't warry about the other options right now. Get copies of all reports. Post the info from the pathology report and we'll help you make sense of it. Chances are very high that one or more of us have been faced with the same findings. More importantly, chances are excellent you will get through this just fine. Hope the I/O recovery goes well.
Paul

[evstar18]

Size of the primary isn't all that important, mine was 1.5 cms with no vascular invasion... and bam I relapsed quickly, other people have massive testicular masses with vascular invasion and they are cured by i/o.

[anderso]

After seeing the urologist, I found out the tumor was bigger and spread a bit to the cord. He got it all out though. I have some drainage but it's not infected. I will have to start radiation. 2500 rads spread over 1 month. After that only surveillance

[Nut of Mordor]

After seeing the urologist, I found out the tumor was bigger and spread a bit to the cord. He got it all out though. I have some drainage but it's not infected. I will have to start radiation. 2500 rads spread over 1 month. After that only surveillance

Radiation ? Then I suppose your path report says pure seminoma ? I suggest you to have a talk with an oncologist ASAP and discuss also about the Carboplatin chemo option, which is as effective as radiation in reducing the relapse rate, but with less long term side effects (the risk of developing secondary tumors above all).

[clockworkjerry]

Welcome,
I also had re laps three years after my I/O. Then did one month of radiation. And all clear now! You will be fine and just remember you are not alone in this. Please keep us posted on when you will start your treatments.