My boyfriend of nine years proposed to me only a week prior to being diagnosed with TC - seminoma. He is 36 and had orchiectomy within two weeks. Appears to be stage one with no spreading to the tube, part of which was also removed. Still awaiting CT results, but consults are upcoming w/oncology to discuss chemo or radiation as options -- seemingly as a preventative measure. I understand that seminoma is the less aggressive and so far pathology reports show it was well contained. Urologist advised that he could have been born with this type of tumor, as it is slow growing and/or had it for a while. We have a wonderful urologist who is recommending follow up treatment as a preventative measure. Am under the impression that he is stage one but will confirm during consults. Based on research I've seen re: pros/cons of treatments, it seems that being treated with radiation may cause risk for other cancers in the future - depending on what areas of the body will be exposed to the radiation. We have been told that whatever the treatment, it will be minimal - possibly only one dose of chemo, for example. We are wanting to start a family and want to take all risk factors into consideration -- all signs seem to point to chemo for me, but wondering what advice others may have. It seems the popular drug of choice for chemo is carboplatin. Any insight here? We've heard story after story of survivors still being able to conceive after treatment, but am unsure of how treatments may affect sperm in the healthy testicle. Know there is risk, so we are most likely going to freeze sperm prior to treatment and am planning to ask during consults whether or not it is possible to delay treatment for 6 mos so we can start trying naturally after we are married - most especially, since it appears all the cancer has been removed through removal of the tumor during the orchiectomy, but there are still chances that there are microscopic cancer cells still there, which is why our urologist is recommending a treatment as added assurance. Any insight would be much appreciated as I prepare all my questions for our oncology consults next week. Anyone been treated w/carboplatin and have insight to share?
As an FYI - I read a former post about someone recommending a call to a doc at IU. I understand that as far as hospitals being on the cutting edge technology of treating testicular cancers, Indiana Univ. is THE place to go. We have received an open invite from a friend there, but will likely stay where we are since we lucked out with the seminoma and there seems to be no spreading.
Many thanks for insight.
Also - anyone have a recommendation for good book re: caregivers/spouses & how to navigate through this? - this is not a fun ride, most especially having been on the high of our lives for a week and then getting this diagnosis. I think he's still in shock.