Yishen Rong, the center forward player for Hsinchu Jiekou Attack Lions, was diagnosed with stage III testicular cancer last year. Currently, he is recovering well and recently visited China Medical University Hsinchu Hospital to express his gratitude by presenting flowers to the medical team. Hospital Director Chen Ziliang stated that after Yishen Rong's diagnosis, a series of treatments were devised at China Medical University Hsinchu Hospital. Through high-dose chemotherapy combined with autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation, his tumor marker, which was as high as 270,000 mIU/ml in August last year, has decreased to 0.7 mIU/ml as of June this year. Continued monitoring is required.
Dr. Tsai Ming-hung from the Hematology-Oncology Department explained that in the treatment of testicular cancer, based on past clinical experience, approximately 90% of patients achieve a complete cure after four rounds of chemotherapy. However, in Yishen Rong's case, despite the significant improvement with the tumor marker decreasing from 270,000 mIU/ml to 39 mIU/ml, there is still room for improvement to bring the marker within the normal range (less than 5). Therefore, Dr. Tsai Ming-hung discussed with Yishen Rong the possibility of combining high-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation.
Yishen Rong expressed that initially, he couldn't accept the fact that he had cancer. It was something he never expected to happen to him. However, he adopted an optimistic and proactive attitude towards receiving treatment. He experienced side effects such as edema and back pain but now feels physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy. He is continuously monitored and looks forward to returning to the basketball court soon.
Dr. Tsai Ming-hung explained that autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation involves freezing and storing normal bone marrow cells, peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells, or umbilical cord blood stem cells. After the patient undergoes high-dose chemotherapy to eliminate tumor cells, the hematopoietic stem cells are transfused back into the patient's body through blood transfusion, thereby rebuilding the patient's hematopoietic system. Currently, Yishen Rong's tumor marker has dropped to 0.7 mIU/ml, and continued monitoring is required.
Dr. Tsai Ming-hung emphasized that testicular cancer may present symptoms such as swelling, heaviness, and pain in the testicles. He advised men to examine their testicles while bathing and check if they are symmetrical in size. If any asymmetry or abnormal masses are detected, immediate medical attention should be sought.
