Non-Seminoma
Non-Seminoma Germ Cell Tumours (Teratoma and mixed
tumours)
If the CT scan does not show any spread of the cancer in other
organs and the tumour markers are normal, the doctor could
recommend a choice of treatment/follow up as follows, however this
depends on if the tumour cells had started to spread in the blood
or lymphatic vessels.
If the cancer cells have not spread to the
blood/lymphatic vessels (PT1) you will be offered:
If the cancer cells have spread to the blood/lymphatic vessels
(PT2) you will be offered:
-
Active surveillance - very regular follow-up
- Monthly appointments for the first year, with Tumour Marker
blood tests every month and chest X-Rays alternate months. You will
have a CT Scan of your chest, abdomen and pelvis 3 months and
12 months after diagnosis. After a year these appointments become
less frequent. NSGCT
Active Surveillance
-
One course of BEP (Bleomycin, Etoposide,
Cisplatin) chemotherapy: NSGCT
add on Chemotherapy.
Sometimes the CT scan shows the cancer has spread to other
organs or the tumour markers remain high. Then the team would
recommend:
- EP is given as an inpatient for day one, two and three staying
in hospital two nights, for three days, but
sometimes five days depending on how many cycles you need.
This is a cycle you will have four cycles.
This is also recommended if during surveillance the tumour
markers rise or a CT scan shows the cancer has spread to other
organs of the body.
After the chemotherapy we arrange a CT scan to see if the tumour
has gone. Sometimes the scan shows there is something still there -
this is likely to be a dead tumour. However, because of the very
small possibility there are dormant cells which could start growing
again, we would recommend an operation to remove them. This
operation is referred to as a RPLND Retroperitoneal Lymph Node
Disection.
After Treatment
Once your treatment has been completed there is a programme of
surveillance. This is a little more intensive in the first two
years and if your disease and treatment was uncomplicated, we would
look to discharge you 5 years after the the end of
treatment.
Free Prescriptions
All patients who have had a diagnosis of cancer are entitled to
FREE prescriptions for five years, ask your key worker for
details.
It's in the Bag Travel Grant and Macmillan Grants
We also have travel grants for those who are only receiving
Statutory Sick Pay/Employment & Support Allowance, with no
savings who live more than 10 miles from the BHOC. For those who
are struggling financially through treatment Macmillan provide
grants to help, ask your key worker details.
Unfortunately, in a very small group of men the tumour does not
respond as quickly as expected or comes back after the
planned treatment.
The team may suggest the following:
-
TIP (Paclitaxol, Ifosphamide,
Cisplatin) chemotherapy
-
Paclitaxol, Ifosphamide & Cisplatin are given as
an inpatient over five days, once every 21 days. This is
a cycle you will have four cycles.
-
Surgery
-
Depending on the type of additional surgery you require, this
will be arranged soon after the completion of chemotherapy.
During TIP chemotherapy some men are offered an opportunity to
harvest stem cells.
This allows for the administration of high dose
chemotherapy should your tumour/s not respond as expected.,
