Appointment sheet
Embryonal carcinoma of the testis
Prepared with OnCo (onco.cc/prep/embryonal-carcinoma-testis/). Orientation, not medical advice; your team knows your case.
My details
Name
Date of appointment
Hospital and clinician
Who is coming with me
What I know, what is unclear, changes to discuss
Saved in this browserWhat I know so far
What is unclear to me
Changes since last time
My questions
8 on the sheetNewly diagnosed
- 1.What is my exact diagnosis, stage, and grade, and which tests established them?
- 2.Which biomarkers have been tested on my tumour (for example OCT4, CD30 and SOX2 positive, Beta-hCG; alpha-fetoprotein normal unless yolk sac elements, Lymphovascular invasion and embryonal carcinoma percentage, Isochromosome 12p), and what were the results?
- 3.Which subtype is my cancer, and does that change the recommended treatment?
- 4.Is germline (inherited) genetic testing recommended for me or my family?
All stages
- 5.For my situation (all stages), which of the standard options do you recommend and why?
- 6.Am I a candidate for Bleomycin, Etoposide, Cisplatin, and what side effects should I expect?
Any stage
- 7.Would a second opinion at a high-volume centre change anything, and can you help arrange it?
- 8.What supportive care (symptom control, nutrition, exercise, mental health, financial help) is available from the start?
The words I may hear
- Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP): Alpha-fetoprotein is a protein made by the fetal liver that a substantial share of hepatocellular carcinomas switch back on.
- Tumour markers (CEA, LDH, chromogranin, thyroglobulin): Substances released into the blood by some cancers that can be measured with a simple test, useful for tracking whether treatment is working or the cancer is coming back, but rarely good enough to diagnose or screen.
Tests and results to bring
Biomarker results to ask for: OCT4, CD30 and SOX2 positive, Beta-hCG (modestly raised); alpha-fetoprotein normal unless yolk sac elements, Lymphovascular invasion and embryonal carcinoma percentage (stage I risk factors), Isochromosome 12p.
Bring copies of scan reports, pathology and blood results, and a list of every medicine and supplement.
The treatments I may be offered
- All stages: Treated as non-seminoma by stage and risk group: orchidectomy, surveillance or one cycle of BEP for stage I by risk factors, three or four cycles of BEP for metastatic disease with resection of residual masses. (Non-seminomatous germ cell tumour, Testicular germ cell tumours, Bleomycin, Etoposide, Cisplatin)
From the standard of care recorded for this cancer; which apply depends on your stage and biomarkers. Ask which the team recommends and why.
Answers and next steps
Saved in this browserWhat I was told
Agreed next steps, dates and who to call