Normally, every single patient turns up.
Normally, I have several extras.
Normally, the extras are children with coughs and colds.
Today, I think one of my extras has just presented with a possible cancer that I have not diagnosed for nearly 20 years.
Testicular cancer used to be a killer disease (particularly Teratoma). I remember as a young doctor working at the Royal Marsden Hospital, seeing the introduction of Cis-Platinum and seeing how well patients did. That was an exciting time to be in Oncology. People started getting better.
So I have asked for an urgent scan, and then will decide where my patient will be treated (that will be a combination of my knowledge and his preference): my colleagues have helped me with my decision.
Early diagnosis of a curable cancer in a youngish patient.
That's what my job is all about.
4 comments:
Sadly not always picked up, my GP missed my Teratoma for a year (despite classic signs) when found it had metastasised to my lung and was causing symptoms.
All well with Cisplatin then Paraplatin (Cisplatin too toxic for me).
Were you there about the same time as Bob Champion?
No I was there before him.
JD.
Glad to hear you recovered, Grumpy - hopefully JD's early pick up has given his patient the best possible start?
In my view everybody must go through it.
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