Recently diagnosed with TC

Sorry to hear about your new diagnosis.  I'm sure you are terrified.  Don't be afraid to ask your doctors tons of questions and push them along on testing so they aren't making you wait.  Good idea to bring someone to appts with you too.

My husband was diagnosed with stage 1 TC when he was about 33.  He did do 6 weeks of radiation on the doctor's suggestion.   Fast forward 12 or so years and he is diagnosed with stage 4 rectal cancer.   I do think it was caused by the radiation and some doctors have agreed.  Would he have not done radiation if he knew then??  I'm not sure.  He may have stil done it but had he been aware that it could have caused another cancer, he would have been more vigilant.  It sounds kind of stupid that we didn't realize, but I guess we were busy with young kids and figured the doctors knew what they were doing.  You are smart to know what could happen so regardless of what you need for treatment, I'm sure you will be on top of things in the future.

Oh and if you are interested in kids  - we already had one at his diagnosis.  We decided to try for another in the 3 weeks before he started radiation and miraculously it happened.   About 10 yrs later we had another baby - surprise!  

Good luck to you - this isn't a very active board and I just happened to notice a new post.  Feel free to message me with any questions.

az09 said:

jen im so sorry to hear that.

jen im so sorry to hear that. Ill pray for your husband that may God give him strenght and power to fight this bad disease off.

 

After hearing about your husband im more freaked out about cancer treatments.while i know your intention was to keep me alert not to freak me out. Im really scared about all these cancer treatments that are out there. not sure what to do

Thank you for the prayers.  And you are right, it wasn't my intention to make you more nervous.  Do you know what stage you are?  I think talking to two or three different doctors would be a good idea.   I would hate to see you turn down treatment, for what may happen in ten or twenty years.  If you need treatment, the benefits may outweigh the risks.  Reading up on this and asking questions is a great start.  Try not to be afraid of the what ifs.  Do what you need to do to survive this cancer otherwise the ten or twenty year worries may be a moot point.   What doctors have you seen?  Urologist, oncologist, radiology oncologist?  I would get opinions from all.

az09 said:

i have only seen my urologist

i have only seen my urologist and oncologist. i have the ct scan appointment on friday. Im praying and hoping that there would be no spread. If God wills.

I am NOT a medical professional, so my opinions are ONLY that.

I don't understand why drs. prescribe a ct scan at this point?? My understanding is that the only difference between a ct scan and a PET scan is the type of dye used. A ct scan will only show a tumor that is 2mm or larger. A 2mm tumor can have a billion cancer cells. I don't understand also why not just have an mri if, whoever isn't willing to radiate you [with a pet scan] at this point why not use a mri which doesn't blast you with radiation? Either one definately produces nice clear pictures.

Before someone jumps on here and blasts me for having the opinion that the less radiation our bodies receive the better off we will be, again this is JMHO. As time seems to be of the essence here before some surgeon gets to have his way with you, why not the PET scan that will "light up" anything in your body that "appears" to be cancerous? 

You do know that you can still produce sperm with one testicle, at least that is what I'm told? Is the C in both? My cancer is head and neck, I have no tumor markers to watch to see if I'm getting better or worse. Mine does seem to be held at bay at this time, I am definately thankful.

If you lose one and the vanity of it bothers you, I believe there is a prosthetic which can be inserted. I guess I am rambling. The choices of treatment are alway ours, some people just are not able to make them, partly do to being overwhelmed and partly do to being rushed into treatment.

Take this for what its worth, and on the www to boot. I know a guy who is a 19 year survivor of throat cancer who was able to corner an oncologist. He was able to get an answer from him as to why victims are placed in radiation so soon after surgery [usually within 6 weeks], the reply was " if we didn't get them in that soon, many would blow off radiation altogether".

I have absolutely no medical education or training, do not take my opinion as medical advice, but something was done for me which at least imo has altered the outcome of my disease. What I was told was my cancer although serious, it is also slow. Not glacial slow, more like old people slow. I had time to form my own plan, which is what  I am still alive and working with, 1 year after diagnosis, and 9 months post surgery, nothing to brag about but a good start.

You apparently have some kind of insurance? There will probably be disagreements. You have to take control of your life. If you are willing to let decisions as important as this be made by others, you will have to be able to accept the results that the decision makers are willing to live with. There can be a vast descrepancy in those two results.

You [we] need to know, before treatment the answer to any questions. This is one I would like you to ask if you have not. Meet with your onc, and ask them what is their typical percentage of satisfactory results after treatment after 5 years as a % of patients that they have personally worked with? You do not have to accept a first or even second opinion. Find and speak with survivors [regardless of their age] of your particular type of cancer and listen to what they have to say.

You have the final say. May God have mercy on us all.

I was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer 9 years ago. It was contained in the testical and did not spread. My physician ( who is one of the best In the country at MSKCC in NY) had me go through radiation therapy as a precaution. he mentioned that there was a very small possibility of getting leukemia 25 years down the road. He was clear in saying that in his career ( and he is in his 30th year)..he HAS NOT SEEN THAT HAPPEN.

I am 9 years cancer free and in the best health of my life. Feel confident that we had the CURIBLE type of TC.....good luck and feel free to comment. I'd like to know how you are doing.

Frankie5A

You need to get on this.  get a second or even third opinion from an onocologist that specialises in testecular cancer.   Take your lab and all test results to him when you do.  

Hope for better outcomes and answers to put you at ease.

HUGS>