So as you know we’ve been waiting for the past two weeks for our appointment with the urologist who was supposed to tell us more information about the RPLND surgery that I was supposed to have (instead of the chemo) to make sure there’s absolutely no cancer left my body. Well looks like I may not even need THAT treatment either!
Today, Dr. Atluri called me to tell me that her pathologist had reviewed my slides and he couldn’t say 100% that I had nonseminoma. In his mind, it was 100% seminoma which changes everything. As we told you previously, there are two main types of testicular germ cell tumors and they are seminomas and nonseminomas. These 2 types grow and spread differently and thus are treated differently. Nonseminomas tend to grow and spread more quickly than seminomas. Seminomas are more sensitive to radiation and are easier to cure. A testicular tumor that contains both seminoma and nonseminoma cells is treated as a nonseminoma which is what the first pathologist THOUGHT I had.
So now what? Well instead of possibly needing the RPLND surgery, I now have two options for treatment. My first option of course is radiation which is something I’d rather not have to do. The second option is a form of chemotherapy as it’s a sister drug to one of the drugs used in the chemo process. It’s called carboplatin and I would only need one dose of it apparently. I would just have to go into the clinic and get the dosage and then be done with treatment.
What happens afterwards? No matter which option I choose, my surveillance would be the same as if I had the chemo/surgery. I would have to have surveillance (CT scan and blood work) twice a year for the first two years and then once a year for the next three years after that.
So to me it seems like things keep getting better for me. Dr. Atluri though is sending off the slides to another pathologist just so we can be sure since it affects what kind of treatment I’ll need to have to be cured. So we shall see how it goes!
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Casey that sounds like great news! I am relieved to hear that things are going to work out. From the sounds of it, you will be cured. Woohooo!
Thanks Steph! Yeah it looks like things are getting better provided they get everything right!
BEHOLD!
the power of prayer!
Its all the prayers..they are working
Casey,
It would appear that you’re on the right track to a full life & I can’t express enough to you and Jenn how happy I am to hear the good news. You both are always in my thoughts and only wish the best outcome for such a giving and loving couple.
- Steve
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