Seminoma
Prepared with OnCo (onco.cc/prep/seminoma/). Orientation, not medical advice; your team knows your case.
My details
What I know, what is unclear, changes to discuss
Saved in this browserMy questions
15 on the sheet- 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 hCGand LDH, AFP normal by definition, Tumour size and rete testis invasion, PET after chemotherapy for residual masses over 3 cm), 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?
- 5.For my situation (stage i), which of the standard options do you recommend and why?
- 6.Am I a candidate for Carboplatin, and what side effects should I expect?
- 7.For my situation (stage ii), which of the standard options do you recommend and why?
- 8.Am I a candidate for Cisplatin, Etoposide, Bleomycin, and what side effects should I expect?
- 9.For my situation (advanced), which of the standard options do you recommend and why?
- 10.Am I a candidate for Bleomycin, Etoposide, Cisplatin, and what side effects should I expect?
- 11.Are there clinical trials I could join, for example of Carboplatin, PET (positron emission tomography)?
- 12.Would a second opinion at a high-volume centre change anything, and can you help arrange it?
- 13.What supportive care (symptom control, nutrition, exercise, mental health, financial help) is available from the start?
- 14.I read that “Predicting which stage I patients will relapse”. How does that affect my plan?
- 15.I read that “Late effects of platinum and radiotherapy decades on”. How does that affect my plan?
Tests and results to bring
Biomarker results to ask for: hCG (mildly raised in a minority) and LDH, AFP normal by definition, Tumour size and rete testis invasion (relapse risk in stage I), PET after chemotherapy for residual masses over 3 cm.
Scans and tests linked to this cancer: Active surveillance, AFP, hCG and LDH in germ cell tumours (IGCCCG risk groups), PET (positron emission tomography).
Bring copies of scan reports, pathology and blood results, and a list of every medicine and supplement.
The treatments I may be offered
- Stage I: Orchidectomy then surveillance; single-dose carboplatin as an alternative; radiotherapy now rarely used because of second cancers. (Carboplatin, Active surveillance)
- Stage II: Radiotherapy for small-volume nodes or chemotherapy (BEP or EP) for larger nodes; de-escalation trials of carboplatin with radiotherapy ongoing. (Cisplatin, Etoposide, Bleomycin, IMRT / IGRT (modern external beam))
- Advanced: Three cycles of BEP or four of EP for good risk, four cycles of BEP for intermediate risk; PET-directed management of residual masses. (Bleomycin, Etoposide, Cisplatin, PET (positron emission tomography))
From the standard of care recorded for this cancer; which apply depends on your stage and biomarkers. Ask which the team recommends and why.