Testicular Cancer: Overview and Implications
Testicular Cancer: Overview and Implications
Derrick H., a Caucasian, 31-year-old sales and marketing director for a major telecommunications company, is admitted to a medical-surgical unit scheduled for an orchiectomy the next day. He is accompanied by his fiancé and mother. He states during the admission process that he had a physical examination by a nurse practitioner at the community clinic. He states he has had annual examinations for the past 10 years because he plays on a competitive Ultimate Frisbee traveling team in the summer. This year, however, the nurse practitioner (NP) found a "hard area" in his scrotum, and ordered a scrotal ultrasound and tumor markers. She also recommended that he see a urologist for diagnosis, a visit that occurred three days ago and led to a visit with a urologic oncologist. He is at the hospital for this phase of his treatment. Following his diagnostic workup, Derrick was informed that a testicular tumor was found on the left side, and the surgery is to remove that mass. His fiancé is visibly attempting not to cry, and his mother is inside the door, leaning against the wall, during the admission questions. Derrick was surprised when his mother answered yes to the question of Derrick's having had surgery as an infant. When asked why the surgery had been necessary, she replied that he had required a short procedure when he was 18 months old to correct an undescended testicle.
Case Study
Derrick H., a Caucasian, 31-year-old sales and marketing director for a major telecommunications company, is admitted to a medical-surgical unit scheduled for an orchiectomy the next day. He is accompanied by his fiancé and mother. He states during the admission process that he had a physical examination by a nurse practitioner at the community clinic. He states he has had annual examinations for the past 10 years because he plays on a competitive Ultimate Frisbee traveling team in the summer. This year, however, the nurse practitioner (NP) found a "hard area" in his scrotum, and ordered a scrotal ultrasound and tumor markers. She also recommended that he see a urologist for diagnosis, a visit that occurred three days ago and led to a visit with a urologic oncologist. He is at the hospital for this phase of his treatment. Following his diagnostic workup, Derrick was informed that a testicular tumor was found on the left side, and the surgery is to remove that mass. His fiancé is visibly attempting not to cry, and his mother is inside the door, leaning against the wall, during the admission questions. Derrick was surprised when his mother answered yes to the question of Derrick's having had surgery as an infant. When asked why the surgery had been necessary, she replied that he had required a short procedure when he was 18 months old to correct an undescended testicle.
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