Pathology results

October 9: The Urologist reviewed the pathology results of the small masses. One mass about 1.5 cm was seminoma (see types) and the other mass about 2.9 cm non-seminoma with some immature taritoma. Now the Urologist was “eating a little crow”. The blood tumor marker Alfa-Fetoprotein level was 26. Anything over 6 indicates evidence of cancer. Other markers came back negative which ruled out possible brain invasion and other types of carcinomas. CT scan was scheduled for the next day. Next blood marker tests were scheduled for four weeks out (to see if the levels go down after removal of the initial tumors). Cancer category identified at this point: Stage 1B, pT2 (see staging). Treatment options were discussed pending results of the CT scan. Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection (RPLND) and/or Chemotherapy. The doctor thought the RPLND was likely.