Orchidectomy query

Hi Josh, really sorry to hear you're going through all of this! I'm sure it's all been a bit of a whirlwind, and I hope some of the comments and stories you've found on this forum have been of some help to you.

With testicular cancer, doctors are 99% sure that a solid lump of a certain size found on a testicle's ultrasound is cancer. There is a slim chance it's benign, but for them to confirm entirely, they need to check it out under a microscope and to do that they have to either take it out (the orchidectomy) or take a sample which can increase the risk of spread. Basically, when they see lumps like yours, they're extremely confident they know what they're dealing with.

On the tumour markers—not all tumours give off markers, and therefore they don't tell the full story their own. If anything, they give a better impression of the type of testicular cancer. Most seminoma testicular tumours, for instance, don't give off tumour markers at all—and never will—while the majority of non seminoma tumours do. Both are still very much cancer and need sorted out, though, and therefore your doctors are acting in your very best interest in organising your surgery.

You can read more about markers here: www.macmillan.org.uk/.../testicular-cancer-tumour-markers

Again, I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this, but hope you're heartened to hear about excellent treatment rates and how predictable a cancer this is compared to most others. Best of luck and if you have any other questions, feel free to drop me a message :)

Hi Josh. I went through this last year. Had surgery about a year ago exactly. My bloods never showed any sign of cancer and still never have. The type of cancer I had was 100% mature teritoma. They only found that out after surgery. I'll be honest. Losing one is no big deal. I've never had any bother and life continues like it did before. I just have a story to tell now. If I was you I'd want it out asap. Even if it isn't cancerous best to be safe rather than sorry. If you have any questions about the process and what to expect don't hesitate to ask. Just a note aswell I never went through chemo. It was surgery and then I'm now on surveillance.

Andrew

Thank you for you reply! I know. I am still going through with orchidectomy the 23rd of this month regardless. But was just curious what people thought! 

Thanks, Andrew! You’ve helped set my mind at ease and I am confident in having this orchidectomy as in my best interest. 

in regards to aftercare, what is the decision behind whether you are put on surveillance or given adjuvant chemotherapy? Do you have a choice? Even if they recommend surveillance could you say you would prefer one round of adjuvant? 

Hi Josh. Like others have said, sorry to hear you are going through this shit. I went through exactly the same last year (actually had my op on the 30th dec 21). I have literally just got home from my one year all clear mri/ bloods consultancy meeting. It was a rough few months but you will be up and about before you know it. 

I too had no markers show in my bloods (plus I had zero symptoms aside a pea size lump on shit ball). However after the ball was looked at under a microscope it was confirmed that although it was caught early (stage 1) there were signs of Rete invasion (basically the very beginnings of spread). This is still great news to a degree because it’s still contained in your scrotum area (and not in your body). I believe it’s not until you have a CT scan (which you will) that they can tell exactly where you are. The normal progression of the disease is up, going to the lymph nodes around your groin and back of your stomach. My scan showed no spread (just the Rete invasion) so I was offered a one off adjuvant chemo shot or surveillance. The consultant very much left it to me but did say I’d made the right choice opting for chemo. I’m glad I took it , stacks the odds in my favour and wasn’t that bad. Has made zero difference to my libido / confidence. If you search on my username you’ll find I posted a lot during my whole experience. I found it really helped me reading guys experiences on this site. 

Good luck and please reach out if you having questions. 

All Depends on the type of cancer. What I have would not be affected by chemo. Basically easiest way I can put it is I have 100% teritoma. Most times what people get is a mixed germ cell cancer. Part teritoma part something else. I can remember the other part but that's what they give the chemo for. It's the part that wants to spread. So there was never an option for me to have chemo. Just have to wait for the results after surgery and CT the plan the road ahead. Best of luck. Don't cough, sneeze or laugh after surgery dude. They don't tell you that but by God it hurts if you do. The scar is sensitive to start so just take it easy. Get yourself set up in bed with a playstation and do some gaming for a week or 2. That's what I done and it was great. Couple weeks of chilling with no excuse needed. 

Best of luck for surgery on Monday, Josh! As I'm sure you've already heard, it isn't a particularly difficult surgery, and in my experience, my husband walked out of the hospital later that same day, a bit tired and sore, but nothing too major. He took it easy for a few days and was back to his desk job the week after.