From New Mexico to Indiana, patient with testicular cancer comes here for treatment

Singer-songwriter comes nearly 2,000 miles for cancer treatment.

By TJ Banes, IU Health Senior Journalist, tfender1@iuhealth.org

What started as back pain was diagnosed in 2019 as testicular cancer. That’s when Dylan Taylor began researching treatment plans. He was 23 at the time and has spent the past five years fighting for recovery.

A resident of New Mexico, he started chemotherapy back home in New Mexico. When the cancer started growing again he went to a specialist in Albuquerque for more treatments. Brain tumors appeared on his scans. He underwent surgery and back to back stem cell transplants.

“At this point my blood tests showed no more activity but residual masses throughout my body. They monitored me and I was in good shape for three years,” said Taylor. In August 2023, he learned the cancer had spread.

Testicular cancer occurs in the testicles (testes), located in the scrotum. It is rare but the most common cancer in American males between the ages of 15 and 35. Symptoms may include a lump in the testicle, a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum, dull ache in the abdomen or groin, and back pain.

“It was eight months after reoccurrence that they tried to decide what to do,” said Taylor. All signs pointed to Indiana and IU Health where he was in the care of Dr. Clint Carey and Dr. Lawrence Einhorn.

Dr. Einhorn is known for successful treatment of testicular cancer - germ cell tumors - using a mix of high dose chemotherapies and peripheral stem cell transplant. Patients have traveled from throughout the country and the world for his specialized care.

Dr. Cary performed a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, an intricate surgery on the lymph nodes in the back and abdomen. Taylor was accompanied by his mother Malinda Taylor, and remained in Indianapolis for weeks, staying at Fair Haven, a Foundation that provides free and comfortable housing to patients who require extended stays.

Back in New Mexico, Taylor is focused on his recovery and pursuing his music. At the age of 4, he was pulled up on stage by his father, Levi Taylor, who performed with a variety of bands. Taylor received his first guitar at the age of 13 and has spent most of his life writing and performing Indy Rock.

“I am recovering from a big surgery and it’s a slow recovery but I feel so much better,” said Taylor. “I’m so thankful for Dr. Cary and Dr. Einhorn. They are the best in the country. I’m looking forward to getting back to preforming.”