Former Duke Baseball Player--And Cancer Survivor--Thriving in Major Leagues

The New York Mets have high hopes for relief pitcher Scott Schoeneweis, an off-season acquisition. After being traded from the Toronto Blue Jays to the Cincinnati Reds in August of 2006, he had a great end to the season. This year looks even better for the left hander.

Life for Schoeneweis (pronounced SHOWN-wice) seems far removed from that of a cancer patient. Still, his diagnosis of testicular cancer in 1993 as a freshman at Duke made an impact on him that reverberates today.

“As a college student, I felt invincible,” says Schoeneweis. “But in a moment’s notice, everything changed.”

During a routine physical exam before his sophomore year, the baseball team’s physician felt a lump on one of Schoeneweis’ testicles. After further tests, Duke urologist and Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center Member Cary Robertson, MD, diagnosed Schoeneweis with testicular cancer. The cancer had spread to the lymph nodes in his pelvis.

Testicular cancer is rare, only accounting for approximately one percent of the cancers in men. Unlike many types of cancer, men who have testicular cancer are usually relatively young—usually between 20 and 39 years old. Testicular cancer, especially if diagnosed early, can usually be treated successfully, with more than 95 percent of men cured.

“I recall his parents and coach in the waiting room very concerned about Scott and what was going to be done next,” says Robertson, who remembers the situation very well. Schoeneweis underwent surgery at Duke to remove the cancerous testicle and then received chemotherapy, which was the standard course of treatment at the time.

“In the last 15 years or so, there has been a stronger interest in using chemotherapy as the primary therapy and not perform surgery as often,” explains Robertson. “However, in early-stage testicular cancer, surgery, chemotherapy, and even surveillance should all be discussed as options for men to consider.” Robertson is a member of a National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s Clinical Practice Guideline panel for testicular cancer, which advises oncologists on treatments for testicular cancer patients.

“I worried about my health and about my life,” says Schoeneweis. “But I remember that even with the effects of chemotherapy, I wanted to pitch again soon.”

Schoeneweis came back to pitch—but not at full strength—for much of his sophomore season. “Considering the circumstances, Scott had a very good year,” says Steve Traylor, the head coach for Duke’s baseball team at that time. Then Schoeneweis blew out his elbow, forcing him to get surgery and spend more time away from baseball. These two circumstances might have ended some careers, but not Schoeneweis’. He was not going to be denied and never had a “pity party,” according to Traylor.

Schoeneweis struggled on the field during his junior year, but things were different during his senior season. The promise that he showed during his freshman year returned and he won 10 games. His 90 mile per hour fastballs re-emerged. Even with all the obstacles, Schoeneweis has a lifetime ranking of first for wins and starts, and is second for strikeouts at Duke. After his senior season, he was drafted in the third round by the California Angels, the highest draft pick for a Blue Devil in 20 years.

It has been nearly 14 years since his diagnosis, and today Schoeneweis is totally healthy. “I feel perfect, and I’ve been fine since leaving Duke,” he says from the locker room of the Mets, where he recently signed a reported three-year, almost $11 million contract to work in the bullpen.

Since graduating from Duke in 1996 with a history degree, Schoeneweis has had a successful major league career, playing on five different teams, and winning the World Series with the Angels in 2002. “While winning the World Series was great, I was always worried that I would never be able to have children,” he says. “It’s great seeing my kids grow.” Schoeneweis is married and has three children.

Schoeneweis admits that he’s always had a good work ethic, but to get through the cancer and chemotherapy he had to work even harder. “While it’s not the easiest thing to do, you need to stay positive and be optimistic,” the 33-year-old Schoenewewis says. “Let the drugs do their thing, and you can’t give up. You can’t give up on your life.”

*Schoeneweis will be the guest of honor at the New York City Outreach Event benefiting the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, scheduled for September 27, 2007, at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. For tickets and information about the event, please call Doreen Matters at 919-667-2616 or go to www.cancer.duke.edu/nycoutreach.*

What is testicular cancer? Testicular cancer is usually discovered by a self-exam or by a physician during a routine physical examination. A lump on a testicle or pain requires further testing whether through blood tests, ultrasound, or a biopsy. Since the size of the tumor doubles every 30 days, it is important to see a physician promptly. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Testicular cancer, especially if diagnosed early, can usually be treated successfully, with more than 95 percent of men cured. While treatments are usually effective, one side effect is sterility so patients are given the option to preserve the sperm if they intend on having children eventually. Even after treatment, survivors still need regular blood tests and x-rays to make sure the cancer has not returned. There are no risk factors per se in developing testicular cancer. White men are more likely than any other race to get testicular cancer. Also, those men who have an undescended testicle have increased risks, and those with a family history of the disease. * Duke has a long heritage of providing excellent care to men with testicular cancer and has made significant contributions to research in this area.

Cary N. Robertson, MD, FACS Member, Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Urology Clinical Interests: Urologic and testicular oncology, robotic assisted laparoscopic radial prostatectomy, high intensity focused ultrasound therapy of prostate cancer, renal cell cancer, partial nephrectomy Research Interests: 1. High Intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy of Prostate Cancer 2. Surgical Technique Improvement in Prostate Cancer 3. Clinical Predictors of Outcome in Prostate Cancer 4. Molecular Imaging and Genomics of Genitourinary Malignancies 5. Quality of Life measures in Genitourinary Malignancies Highlight: Founded Duke University Medical Center’s annual freeprostate cancer screening clinic in 1990. In 2006, more than 550 men participated. Training: MD, Tulane School of Medicine, Louisiana, 1977 Residency: Surgery, University of Oregon Health Sciences Center, Oregon, 1977-78 Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, North Carolina, 1980-81 Urologic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, North Carolina, 1981-85 National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Maryland, 1985-88