Testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer in men aged 15-35, but nobody is talking about it! Until today that is.
In this crucial episode of "Cracking Cancer," host Dr. Kyle Concannon is joined by Dr. Andrew Johns, a GU Cancer specialist from MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Jon Fox, a testicular cancer survivor. They tackle the vital topic of testicular cancer, shedding light on its biology, treatment, and remarkably high survival rates.
Dr. Johns explains that the majority of cases are germ cell tumors and breaks down the staging and risk stratification (favorable, intermediate, and unfavorable), emphasizing that even with metastatic disease, long-term survival can be over 90% for favorable-risk cases. Guest Jon provides a raw, first-hand account of his fast-paced diagnosis—from noticing subtle pain to dealing with the ambiguity of his aggressive tumor subtype (Embryonal Carcinoma) and the resulting discrepancy in treatment recommendations (3 vs. 4 cycles of BEP chemotherapy). They discuss the standard workup, the significance of tumor markers, and the rigorous recovery required after major surgeries like the RPLND. This is essential listening for young men, their families, and anyone seeking clarity on a highly treatable yet highly aggressive disease.
Key Takeaways
Chapters
The Cracking Cancer Podcast's main focus is to further education about cancer and its effects on people and communities through continued discussion and to raise funds for the continued research of cancer treatments and positive outcomes. All raised proceeds go directly to the continued upkeep of this podcast and cancer research. To find out more about supporting the show and research endeavors, please go to the following website: www.crackingcancer.org
Attributions
The music track - Progression Pulse - is provided by Denys Brodovskyi through the Attribution 4.0 International License
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