health Cancer

[easyhard]

my wife was operated for breast ca 4 1/2 years ago and even now i can still recall the anxieties brought about by uncertainties... nothing is sure.. well i guess thats life.......

 

4.5 yrs. and looking good. Keep on smiling. The peak or recurrence for breast cancer in particular is approximately on the 2nd year. After this period, the risk of recurrence decreases with time. This means that the chances for a recurrence of cancer in your wife becomes lesser as the years pass by.

[easyhard]

Just to give my two cents, all of chemotherapeutic agents are toxic to the body, different chemo agents different side effects depending on which group they belong i.e vinca alkaloids, nitrogen mustard derivatives, hormonal agents, alkylating agents antimetabolites biological etc...and this side effects vary also from person to person..thats why educating the patients on what to expect prior to chemo is very important...some of the patients after having the first or second cycles of there chemo quits, why? because they have not been taught of the side effects of chemo...although i have not experience having a chemo ( God forbids ) i know that they are experiencing "hell" whenever they receive this chemo..thats why family support is important. As for the colon cancer the usual chemo agent that they are giving is 5FU common side effects is vomitting nausea hairloss bone marrow depression etc and in combination with 5FU is oxaliplatin...

 

I agree with you that 5FU may have side effects. However, these effects are weak compared to other agents. When used in the treatment of colon cancer, we do not get a great degree of side effects as compared to its use in other cancers such as breast cancer. The dose interval and duration is faster, and it's accompanying chemotherapeutic agents do not add up to the side effects (except oxiloplatin). In my experience with my patients, I see less or even no side effects from chemotherapy with colorectal cancer compared to my patients with breast cancer.

 

To add, the introduction of Capecitabine (xeloda) as an oral chemotherapeutic alternative for colon cancer lowered the chances for developing side effects.

 

I am sorry for being too technical. But I believe that it is safe and responsible to advise a person with colorectal cancer that the feared side effects from standard chemotherapeutic agents is not commonly observed as compared to what is commonly observed from other cancer treatments

[turista]

For all those afflicted with cancer or those whose loved ones are, give them a lot of loving and hugging.

[boomouse]

ANTI CANCER VEGETABLES AND FRUITS

 

BROCCOLI

 

How it combats cancer: Research has revealed that a chemical component called indole-3-carbinol can combat breast cancer by converting a cancer-promoting estrogen into a more protective variety. The phytochemical sulforaphane raises the levels of certain cancer-fighting enzymes that defend the body from cigarette smoke, fumes, pesticides & other known carcinogens.

 

Diet tips: Broccoli leaves actually contain more beta-carotene (i.e. pre-Vitamin A) than the florets - use leaves in purees, soups, and stir-fries. To preserve broccoli’s valuable nutrients, steam or microwave, being careful not to overcook. Avoid garnishing broccoli with fatty cheeses and creams instead, squeeze on some lemon juice or sprinkle with toasted breadcrumbs.

 

PAPAYA

 

How it combats cancer: Its plentiful store of vitamin C works as an antioxidant and may also reduce absorption of cancer-causing nitro amines from the soil or processed foods. Papaya contains folacin (also known as folic acid), which has been shown to minimize cervical dysplasia and certain cancers.

 

Diet tips: Choose papayas that are at least half yellow in the store. Fully green ones were probably picked too soon and won’t ripen properly. You can serve papaya in fruit salad, add it to a garlic-and-spinach pasta mixture, or just eat it on its own, letting the juice dribble down your arm.

 

GARLIC

 

How it combats cancer: Garlic’s immune-enhancing allium compounds block carcinogens from entering cells and slow tumor development. Diallyl sulfide, a component of garlic oil, has also shown to render carcinogens in the liver inactive. Studies have linked garlic - as well as onions, leeks, and chives - lower risk of stomach and colon cancer.

 

Diet tips: Add raw garlic to salads; use it fresh in marinades and sauces;

rub freshly cut garlic around the insides of salad bowls and over chicken

and fish fillets. Avoid dried or powdered garlic, which is less

concentrated - and less effective

 

KALE

 

How it combats cancer: Research has shown that indoles, nitrogen compounds found in kale and other leafy greens, may help stop the conversion of certain lesions to cancerous cells in estrogen-sensitive tissues. In addition, isothiocyanates, phytochemicals found in kale, are thought to suppress tumor growth and block cancer-causing substances from reaching their targets.

 

Diet tips: A cruciferous vegetable, kale requires quick cooking - blanching or steaming - to preserve its nutrients. When you’re done, save the nutrient-rich cooking liquid for soups or sauces. You can also use whole large leaves to wrap fillings or to layer in lasagna.

 

SWEET POTATO

 

How it combats cancer: This nutrient-dense food contains many anticancer properties. It’s loaded with beta-carotene, which may protect DNA in the cell nucleus from cancer-causing chemicals outside the nuclear membrane.

 

Diet tips: Go for freshness when picking potatoes - canned varieties contain less beta-carotene and vitamins C and B. Naturally sweet and creamy, mashed sweet potatoes can be enhanced with a little apple juice. Or whip the cooked tubers with orange zest or orange juice and season with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.

 

GRAPEFRUIT

 

How it combats cancer: Grapefruits, like oranges and other citrus fruits, contain monoterpenes, believed to help prevent cancer by sweeping carcinogens out of the body. Some studies show that grapefruit can inhibit the proliferation of breast-cancer cells in vitro. It also contains vitamin C, beta-carotene, and folic acid.

 

Diet tips: Grapefruit can be sweetened with brown sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup or honey; vanilla extract, fresh mint, and almonds also accent the fruit’s flavor. Grapefruit juice will give you the antioxidants and phytochemicals that fight cancer, but it’s missing the fiber that fresh, whole grapefruit offers.

 

AVOCADO

 

How it combats cancer: Avocados are rich in glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that attacks free radicals in the body by blocking intestinal absorption of certain fats. Ounce for ounce, avocados also supply 60 percent more potassium than bananas and are a strong source of beta-carotene.

 

Diet tips: Store avocados at room temperature until they soften. If you don’t eat the fruit immediately after cutting, sprinkle on some lemon or limejuice to keep it from darkening. Add chunks or slices to salads and sandwiches or spread mashed avocado on bread.

 

SEAWEED

 

How they combat cancer: Seaweed and other sea vegetables contain beta-carotene, protein, vitamin B12, fiber, and chlorophyll, as well as chlorophylones - important fatty acids that may help in the fight against breast cancer. Also, many sea vegetables have high concentrations of the minerals potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and iodine.

 

Diet tips: Sea vegetables come fresh, dried, or powdered. Both the Japanese & the Irish regularly use them as flavorings for broths & soups, stir-fried over rice, or as a wrap for fish and other seafood. Varieties such as dulce, wakame, Kombu, and hijiki even appear in pancakes, salads, puddings, and sandwiches.

 

TOFU

 

How it combats cancer: Soy contains several types of phytoestrogens -weak, nonsteroidal estrogens that could help prevent both breast and prostate cancer by blocking and suppressing cancerous changes. Genistein, one type of phytoestrogen, also lowers breast-cancer risk by inhibiting the growth of epithelial cells & new blood vessels that tumors require to flourish.

 

Diet tips: Tofu is made by coagulating the protein in soybeans - much the way cheese is produced. While bland on its own, tofu absorbs other flavors when cooked, making it perfect for stir-fries, dips, spreads, shakes, even cheesecake. It’s also a good high-protein substitute for meat, whole milk & mayonnaise.

 

ADDITIONAL NOTE:

Please note that ALL cruciferous vegetables (like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, brussel sprouts, etc.) CANNOT be taken raw as they contain oxalates, which if excessive, can lead to gall stones.

To get maximum benefit from these vegetables, please do not overcook them.

 

 

CAUSES OF CANCER

 

Not all cancers are the same. 1/3 is curable. 1/3 is preventable. 2 factors of cancer that cannot be controlled are AGE & FAMILY HISTORY.

 

Causes of cancer:

1. Smoking is very often the main cause of cancer. It kills us silently and drains money from us quietly. There're 4,000 harmful chemicals (though in diluted form) in one stick of cigarette. Taking one puff is 600 times worst than inhaling the exhaust fumes from vehicles.

 

2. Some food that cause cancer are:

2.1 Barbecued Food

2.2 Deep Fried Food

2.3 Overheating Meat

2.4 Food that is high in fat causes our bile to secrete acid that contains a chemical, which is a promoter of cancer cells.

2.5 Food that contains preservatives, too much salt or nitrates (e.g. Canned food, Salted egg & veggies, sausages, etc.)

2.6 Overnight Rice (where Aflatoxin is accumulated)

2.7 Food that is low in fiber: Our body needs 25 gm of both soluble & insoluble fiber daily. We must drink at least 1.5 liters of plain water a day.

2.8 Contaminated Food (e.g. molded bread causes our body to secrete toxins that may eventually lead to liver cancer in the long run. Never eat bread that is kept in room temperature for more than 2 days especially in a humid weather like Singapore's.

 

3. Specific Food & Beverages

4.1 Egg when eaten too much can cause High Colon Cancer. Risk Ovary Cancer, Prostate Cancer.

4.2 The residue of over-burned coffee is extremely bad for health. It can cause cancer.

 

After all the words you wrote, and after I read and reread them, I believe you have missed a major cause of the cancers that ail mankind. Milk. Yes, milk. You want to know why? Go to www.notmilk.com.

 

Last August 2004 my 66 year old mother was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. She is already a ten-year survivor of cervical cancer. At her age, she refused any chemo, or radiation after undergoing her lumpectomy. The doctors all tut-tutted about her decision being life threatening. Instead, my mom opted for alternative medicine. Specifically, a soup made of several herbs and vegetables cooked for her by a Japanese friend of mine. Today, over three years later, all the remaining lumps on her breast have reduced in size to the point where it was hard to feel. Her breast cancer tumor market tests have consistently come up negative. And doctors have been insisting that she have annual expensive PET scans in the hope of unravelling this enigma. But I am happy to say that they all came up with nothing. In the meantime, my mom enjoys her daily afternoon walks in SM North and Trinoma and the visits to Ricky Reyes's salon.

 

My mom has cancer in the family. Out of a family of six siblings and of her brothers died from some form of cancer. The youngest of colon cancer at 23, the eldest of leukemia at 45, and the last brother of prostate cancer at 67. She continues to drink this vegetable soup that my friend makes and it has her doctors baffled and flabbergasted because I told her not to tell them that she was drinking this. Now I know that this kind of stuff never works for everybody. All I am saying is that I am glad that it worked for my mom. Statistically, without ever receiving treatment, she should be just that by now, a statistic.

Edited November 28, 2007 by boomouse

[scooby91]

After all the words you wrote, and after I read and reread them, I believe you have missed a major cause of the cancers that ail mankind. Milk. Yes, milk. You want to know why? Go to www.notmilk.com.

 

Last August 2004 my 66 year old mother was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. She is already a ten-year survivor of cervical cancer. At her age, she refused any chemo, or radiation after undergoing her lumpectomy. The doctors all tut-tutted about her decision being life threatening. Instead, my mom opted for alternative medicine. Specifically, a soup made of several herbs and vegetables cooked for her by a Japanese friend of mine. Today, over three years later, all the remaining lumps on her breast have reduced in size to the point where it was hard to feel. Her breast cancer tumor market tests have consistently come up negative. And doctors have been insisting that she have annual expensive PET scans in the hope of unravelling this enigma. But I am happy to say that they all came up with nothing. In the meantime, my mom enjoys her daily afternoon walks in SM North and Trinoma and the visits to Ricky Reyes's salon.

 

My mom has cancer in the family. Out of a family of six siblings and of her brothers died from some form of cancer. The youngest of colon cancer at 23, the eldest of leukemia at 45, and the last brother of prostate cancer at 67. She continues to drink this vegetable soup that my friend makes and it has her doctors baffled and flabbergasted because I told her not to tell them that she was drinking this. Now I know that this kind of stuff never works for everybody. All I am saying is that I am glad that it worked for my mom. Statistically, without ever receiving treatment, she should be just that by now, a statistic.

 

this caught my attention.. 10yr survivor na mom mo of cervical cancer? wow!

i have a loved one who also has c.cancer..... i dont really know the details but is it treatable?

[boomouse]

this caught my attention.. 10yr survivor na mom mo of cervical cancer? wow!

i have a loved one who also has c.cancer..... i dont really know the details but is it treatable?

 

Oh she still has it. Her Latest PET scan last month confirmed she still breast cancer. It also confirmed that it is not going anywhere and has in fact reduced in size.

 

As for the C cancer, this was treated using conventional medicine. The nice thing was that all the treatment was done in Hong Kong. As a HK resident then (and a taxpayer there) I was entitled to have free medical care for all my dependents and in the predominantly Chinese society of HK, parents are considered your most important dependents. And like a lot of medical facilities outside the Philippines, government hospitals invariably had the best facilities and the best doctors. Then my mom had chemo and radiotheraphy among others. She stayed in HK for over a year. Each day she received treatment whether as an in- or out-patient it only cost the equivalent of P250 a day. All the meds were free, as were the doctors' professional fees. The best money I have ever spent on medical care.

[babymaker]

This is a real cure for cancer. I made this website.

http://www.curemanual.com/diseases-and-tweaks/cancer

 

If you need help I will answer your questions in this thread.

 

Disclaimer: I am not a western medical doctor and I never want to be one.

This my gift to MTC members who may be sick with cancer or have a loved one with cancer.

 

* Nobody move this thread anywhere... *

Edited March 5, 2008 by babymaker

[RoelTolentinoSURGLonco]

4.5 yrs. and looking good. Keep on smiling. The peak or recurrence for breast cancer in particular is approximately on the 2nd year. After this period, the risk of recurrence decreases with time. This means that the chances for a recurrence of cancer in your wife becomes lesser as the years pass by.

 

 

 

I definitely agree!

 

 

Breast cancer recurrence is usually within the 5 year period. If there is no recurrence, we can say that the tumor is not aggressive.

But it is very important to comunicate with the oncologist regularly.

 

 

I think you failed to mention the age of your wife and the status of the lymph nodes.

 

If she is postmenopausal, and her lymph node was positive, she might need an aromatase inhibitor after 5 years (if she was given tamoxifen for five years). It is so beacuse there is another peak at 7-8 years after surgery in node positive patients. This another peak must be addressed accordingly!

 

 

Roel Tolentino,MD,FPCS,FPSGS,FPSO,FMOSP (MBA Student)

General Surgeon-Surgical Oncologist

SLMC,MCM

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Dr_Ro...entino_Website/

[hachi_Roku]

I am not sure if this is true, but I have read that prostate cancer are caused by masturbation caused by a high sexual drive due to high hormones during in our 20's and 30's?

 

here is the link where I read it from.

[grovel]

I am not sure if this is true, but I have read that prostate cancer are caused by masturbation caused by a high sexual drive due to high hormones during in our 20's and 30's?

 

here is the link where I read it from.

Tingin ko di pa rin titigil mga lalake kahit sabihin mong it could cause cancer.

[peterparker]

I am not sure if this is true, but I have read that prostate cancer are caused by masturbation caused by a high sexual drive due to high hormones during in our 20's and 30's?

 

here is the link where I read it from.

 

 

 

hmm.. bro, masturbation per se does not cause prostatic carcinoma..

 

if it did, there would be a hell of a lot MORE cases reported.. as men are basically horndogs.. hehe

 

 

 

:mtc:

[angel_by_day]

age, race (blacks more than whites) and family history are among the most impt risk factors for prostate cancer.

others are diet and lifestyle.

ejaculatory frequency may be protective but the number of sexual partners may be a risk factor. (when we say may be, it means that there are no conclusive trials on it)

[kastanova]

any info on testicular cancer. i have a friend who's suffering this rare disease..

[peterparker]

any info on testicular cancer. i have a friend who's suffering this rare disease..

 

 

 

What is testicular cancer?

 

Testicular cancer is a disease in which cells become malignant (cancerous) in one or both testicles.

 

The testicles (also called testes or gonads) are a pair of male sex glands. They produce and store sperm and are the main source of testosterone (male hormones) in men. These hormones control the development of the reproductive organs and other male physical characteristics. The testicles are located under the penis in a sac-like pouch called the scrotum.

 

Based on the characteristics of the cells in the tumor, testicular cancers are classified as seminomas or nonseminomas. Other types of cancer that arise in the testicles are rare and are not described here. Seminomas may be one of three types: classic, anaplastic, or spermatocytic. Types of nonseminomas include choriocarcinoma, embryonal carcinoma, teratoma, and yolk sac tumors. Testicular tumors may contain both seminoma and nonseminoma cells.

 

Testicular cancer accounts for only 1 percent of all cancers in men in the United States. About 8,000 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer, and about 390 men die of this disease each year (1). Testicular cancer occurs most often in men between the ages of 20 and 39, and is the most common form of cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 34. It is most common in white men, especially those of Scandinavian descent. The testicular cancer rate has more than doubled among white men in the past 40 years, but has only recently begun to increase among black men. The reason for the racial differences in incidence is not known.

 

 

What are the risk factors for testicular cancer?

 

The exact causes of testicular cancer are not known. However, studies have shown that several factors increase a man's chance of developing this disease.

 

 

Undescended testicle (cryptorchidism): Normally, the testicles descend from inside the abdomen into the scrotum before birth. The risk of testicular cancer is increased in males with a testicle that does not move down into the scrotum. This risk does not change even after surgery to move the testicle into the scrotum. The increased risk applies to both testicles.

 

 

Congenital abnormalities: Men born with abnormalities of the testicles, penis, or kidneys, as well as those with inguinal hernia (hernia in the groin area, where the thigh meets the abdomen), may be at increased risk.

 

 

History of testicular cancer: Men who have had testicular cancer are at increased risk of developing cancer in the other testicle.

 

 

Family history of testicular cancer: The risk for testicular cancer is greater in men whose brother or father has had the disease.

 

 

How is testicular cancer detected? What are symptoms of testicular cancer?

 

Most testicular cancers are found by men themselves. Also, doctors generally examine the testicles during routine physical exams. Between regular checkups, if a man notices anything unusual about his testicles, he should talk with his doctor. Men should see a doctor if they notice any of the following symptoms:

 

 

a painless lump or swelling in a testicle

pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum

any enlargement of a testicle or change in the way it feels

a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum

a dull ache in the lower abdomen, back, or groin

a sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum

 

These symptoms can be caused by cancer or by other conditions. It is important to see a doctor to determine the cause of any of these symptoms.

 

 

How is testicular cancer diagnosed?

 

To help find the cause of symptoms, the doctor evaluates a man's general health. The doctor also performs a physical exam and may order laboratory and diagnostic tests. These tests include:

 

 

Blood tests that measure the levels of tumor markers. Tumor markers are substances often found in higher-than-normal amounts when cancer is present. Tumor markers such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (ßHCG), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) may suggest the presence of a testicular tumor, even if it is too small to be detected by physical exams or imaging tests.

 

 

Ultrasound, a test in which high-frequency sound waves are bounced off internal organs and tissues. Their echoes produce a picture called a sonogram. Ultrasound of the scrotum can show the presence and size of a mass in the testicle. It is also helpful in ruling out other conditions, such as swelling due to infection or a collection of fluid unrelated to cancer.

 

 

Biopsy (microscopic examination of testicular tissue by a pathologist) to determine whether cancer is present. In nearly all cases of suspected cancer, the entire affected testicle is removed through an incision in the groin. This procedure is called radical inguinal orchiectomy. In rare cases (for example, when a man has only one testicle), the surgeon performs an inguinal biopsy, removing a sample of tissue from the testicle through an incision in the groin and proceeding with orchiectomy only if the pathologist finds cancer cells. (The surgeon does not cut through the scrotum to remove tissue. If the problem is cancer, this procedure could cause the disease to spread.)

 

If testicular cancer is found, more tests are needed to find out if the cancer has spread from the testicle to other parts of the body. Determining the stage (extent) of the disease helps the doctor to plan appropriate treatment.

 

 

How is testicular cancer treated? What are the side effects of treatment?

 

Although the incidence of testicular cancer has risen in recent years, more than 95 percent of cases can be cured. Treatment is more likely to be successful when testicular cancer is found early. In addition, treatment can often be less aggressive and may cause fewer side effects.

 

Most men with testicular cancer can be cured with surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy. The side effects depend on the type of treatment and may be different for each person.

 

Seminomas and nonseminomas grow and spread differently and are treated differently. Nonseminomas tend to grow and spread more quickly; seminomas are more sensitive to radiation. If the tumor contains both seminoma and nonseminoma cells, it is treated as a nonseminoma. Treatment also depends on the stage of the cancer, the patient's age and general health, and other factors. Treatment is often provided by a team of specialists, which may include a surgeon, a medical oncologist, and a radiation oncologist.

 

The three types of standard treatment are described below.

 

 

Surgery to remove the testicle through an incision in the groin is called a radical inguinal orchiectomy. Men may be concerned that losing a testicle will affect their ability to have sexual intercourse or make them sterile (unable to produce children). However, a man with one healthy testicle can still have a normal erection and produce sperm. Therefore, an operation to remove one testicle does not make a man impotent (unable to have an erection) and seldom interferes with fertility (the ability to produce children). For cosmetic purposes, men can have a prosthesis (an artificial testicle) placed in the scrotum at the time of their orchiectomy or at any time afterward.

 

Some of the lymph nodes located deep in the abdomen may also be removed (lymph node dissection). This type of surgery does not usually change a man's ability to have an erection or an orgasm, but it can cause problems with fertility if it interferes with ejaculation. Patients may wish to talk with their doctor about the possibility of removing the lymph nodes using a special nerve-sparing surgical technique that may preserve the ability to ejaculate normally.

 

 

Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses high-energy rays to k*ll cancer cells and shrink tumors. It is a local therapy, meaning that it affects cancer cells only in the treated areas. External radiation (from a machine outside the body), aimed at the lymph nodes in the abdomen, is used to treat seminomas. It is usually given after surgery. Because nonseminomas are less sensitive to radiation, men with this type of cancer usually do not undergo radiation therapy.

 

Radiation therapy affects normal as well as cancerous cells. The side effects of radiation therapy depend mainly on the treatment dose. Common side effects include fatigue, skin changes at the site where the treatment is given, loss of appetite, nausea, and diarrhea. Radiation therapy interferes with sperm production, but many patients regain their fertility over a period of 1 to 2 years.

 

 

Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to k*ll cancer cells. When chemotherapy is given to testicular cancer patients, it is usually given as adjuvant therapy (after surgery) to destroy cancerous cells that may remain in the body. Chemotherapy may also be the initial treatment if the cancer is advanced; that is, if it has spread outside the testicle at the time of the diagnosis. Most anticancer drugs are given by injection into a vein.

 

Chemotherapy is a systemic therapy, meaning drugs travel through the bloodstream and affect normal as well as cancerous cells throughout the body. The side effects depend largely on the specific drugs and the doses. Common side effects include nausea, hair loss, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, chills, coughing/shortness of breath, mouth sores, or skin rash. Other side effects include dizziness, numbness, loss of reflexes, or difficulty hearing. Some anticancer drugs also interfere with sperm production. Although the reduction in sperm count is permanent for some patients, many others recover their fertility.

 

Some men with advanced or recurrent testicular cancer may undergo treatment with very high doses of chemotherapy. These high doses of chemotherapy k*ll cancer cells, but they also destroy the bone marrow, which makes and stores blood cells. Such treatment can be given only if patients undergo a bone marrow transplant. In a transplant, bone marrow stem cells are removed from the patient before chemotherapy is administered. These cells are frozen temporarily and then thawed and returned to the patient through a needle (like a blood transfusion) after the high-dose chemotherapy has been administered.

 

Men with testicular cancer should discuss their concerns about sexual function and fertility with their doctor. It is important to know that men with testicular cancer often have fertility problems even before their cancer is treated. If a man has pre-existing fertility problems, or if he is to have treatment that might lead to infertility, he may want to ask the doctor about sperm banking (freezing sperm before treatment for use in the future). This procedure allows some men to have children even if the treatment causes loss of fertility.

 

 

Is follow-up treatment necessary? What does it involve?

 

Regular follow-up exams are extremely important for men who have been treated for testicular cancer. Like all cancers, testicular cancer can recur (come back). Men who have had testicular cancer should see their doctor regularly and should report any unusual symptoms right away. Follow-up varies for different types and stages of testicular cancer. Generally, patients are checked frequently by their doctor and have regular blood tests to measure tumor marker levels. They also have regular x-rays and computed tomography, also called CT scans or CAT scans (detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine). Men who have had testicular cancer have an increased likelihood of developing cancer in the remaining testicle. Patients treated with chemotherapy may have an increased risk of certain types of leukemia, as well as other types of cancer. Regular follow-up care ensures that changes in health are discussed and that problems are treated as soon as possible.

 

 

 

:mtc:

[angel_by_day]

thank you. doc peterparker.

 

i'd just like to reiterate that they are divided into 3 basic types - seminomatous, non-seminomatous and mixed.

 

it depends on what type, as mentioned above, if he will respond to either radiation therapy or chemotherapy. and depends on what stage, of course.

 

you will know the type based on biopsy, and if the so-called tumor markers (serum AFP and beta hCG) are elevated or not.

 

chemotherapy for the more chemo-responsive nonseminomatous type is given for about 3 or 4 cycles, and we use bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin.

Edited March 27, 2009 by angel_by_day