Is removal the norm for suspected cancer?

Hi

Sorry To hear you are likely to join our club!

i believe it is fairly standard.   My Consultant was looking in his diary to book the surgery after the examination,  he sent me for blood tests next but I don’t believe it was going to affect his decision for the op.   Ironically the three blood markers for TC were not elevated at that initial test anyway

As I understand it there is not an option for biopsy for TC so they go for removal.

I am sure some of the others will reply but feel free to post any questions.  Also have a search through the site in the TC area as there are lots of accounts made by others when on their journey.  I found it very useful when I was at the initial stage as you now are.

Take care..

Also…. I had an ultrasound scan before the examination with the Consultant.  He talked through it on the screen.   My tumour was quite large and I had been aware of it as it got larger in the time up to the GP visit for the referral. I am in the UK.

Thanks for insight topcat.. That is helpful. I am beginning to understand what questions I should have asked during the referral. It all happened pretty quickly.

I believe the reason they don't do a biopsy is to avoid spreading cancer cells beyond the testicle. So they remove the testicle instead, allowing them to do a full pathology analysis on the tumor. This then informs the treatment plan.

Men do perfectly fine with one testicle, and it is a straight forward, quick operation with few side effects. I had mine done less than three weeks ago. I was largely back to normal after day 12.

I expect they will send you for blood tests before surgery, and a CT scan after. 

I hope this helps!