lump

[eab221 (imported)]

I have a lump on my right testicle that is "highly suspicious" and need to see a urologist this week. I am hoping it isnt cancer but hoping wont help.

I guess to start off I had leukemia when I was a Sr in High School. I had an agressive type so I needed a bone marrow transplant. Due to that I had total body irradiation back in 2001. I also had my testicles irradiated additionally since leukemia in boys likes to hide there. Due to this I am more at risk for testicular cancer. I have been leukemia free since 2001.

Everything was going fine till a few weeks ago. I had some pressure in the right side of my groin but didnt think anything of it. I am very active and had been running and kayaking and doing work around the house. I figured I just pulled something. A few days later I did a testicular exam on myself and found a lump. I wasnt sure if it was on the ball or just something else in the scrotum but I did tell my dr. He had me get an ultrasound due to my history and the lump and it is a solid mass in my right ball. The left one is fine and both epiditymi are fine. Just the right ball itself has the issue. It isnt a cyst and it is in the testical itself.

I have an appointment with a urologist Wednesday. I assume he is just going to feel it, get my history and review the ultrasound and probably set up a biopsy. I am kind of freaking out. Having cancer once was more then enough for me. I do want to be a nullo but I dont want to have cancer again.

Any adivice is appreciated.

[jcat (imported)]

I hope your examination goes well. Maybe this is your chance to talk to your Urologist and tell him that because of your history and the risk of death by cancer you want them both removed. I wish you well. Please keep us up to date.

[boingboing (imported)]

Most likely they'll only need to remove one testicle, even if it's cancerous. One testicle is enough to maintain normal hormone levels and fertility in most cases, although I'm not sure that is the case for someone who's undergone testicular radiation.

[foxytaur (imported)]

I have a small lump that is receding on my lower neck. It isn't severe, just a minor lymph node inflammation from a bad cold.

Been second time in a row I evaded anti-biotics but it left my tonsils pretty fucked up.

Again those darn pus pocket stones. This foxy is getting close to removing them tonsils if it continues

NB = Wish you good health eab221, cancer is a blight and I desire it onto no one. With regards to testicles my left one is bigger than my right. and it's less squishy as well. Dunno I'm not really a good judge at analyzing my testicular health.

If the mass on your testicle is hard I do hope it's benign. Just cross your fingers.

[nutme248 (imported)]

eab221,

What I'll suggest is to keep on the busy side until your exam. The reason I give that advice is that I found a lump once and had the same fears. The urologist felt it and ordered a testicular ultrasound. My lump turned out to be benign and nothing further was recommended. Sadly, the uro never did address my testicular pain issues adequately. I keptbusy so I wouldn't keep thinking about the lump on my testicle and lose sleep over it. Write me privately if you wish to talk more.

Dave

[Paolo]

I don't talk about it often, but I've played the 'lump game' twice. Both times, it was not cancerous.

I also recommend the 'keep busy' approach. Waiting to get in can make you crazy. I feel your pain.

One was a mini-hydrocele-type swelling, and those were HIS words?!

The other was a swollen vein with impending torsion. A little manipulation cured that.

I also found that the pain issue was readily dismissed with "take Tylenol" and just ignored. Hard to ignore when you scream and scare small children in the office.

[eab221 (imported)]

Well i had some ok news. The urologist I saw said wait 3 months and repeat ultrasound. He was not overly concerned. He couldnt feel it although I can feel it and the radiologist who read the ultrasound recomends biopsy. So I am going to see another urologist that is more likely to biopsy. I am not trying to be a problem patient but I dont like something that wasnt there last year to be given 3 more months to grow. I know with cancer it is best to have it removed before it can spread so I dont like the wait and see approach.The appointment with the second urologist is at the end of July but they will try to move me up if there are cancellations.

[JessJames1968 (imported)]

I am not trying to be a problem patient but I dont like something that wasnt there last year to be given 3 more months to grow. I know with cancer it is best to have it removed before it can spread so I dont like the wait and see approach.The appointment with the second urologist is at the end of July but they will try to move me up if there are cancellations.

Just my two cents worth ... but the "wait and see" approach bites! I believe you are doing the right thing by seeking a second opinion. Your medical history should logically be enough to justify, at the very least, a biopsy.

[eab221 (imported)]

So, a friend got me in at cleveland clinic this past monday. They did blood work and another ultrasound. The blood work was good, both afp and beta hcg were negative. The ultrasound is "possibly suspicious" so the regular urologist there is setting me up with a second urologist. I googled him on line and he is a urologic oncologist who specializes in testicular cancer. They want me to see him for "further evaluations". I need to call the office tomorrow and set up an appointment.

[nullorchis (imported)]

My own personal opinion on this....... if this was happening to me, and if they wanted to take a biopsy sample out of my testicle I would not let them do it.

It is well known that if there is cancer inside of the testicle, it is well contained within the testicle, and probably (hopefully) has not spread beyond the tumor that is within the testicle. Taking a biopsy creates an opening in the testicle, in the tumor, and if there is cancer in the tumor, creates a puncture opening that can permit cancer cells to escape and enter the scrotum or blood stream. It takes just ONE cancer cell to escape and migrate to elsewhere. No, if it were me, and there was a definite tumor, and even if it could not be determined that it was benign, or cancerous, my one and only directive to my physician would be to remove the testicle. If the doctor did not want to do that, I would insist. If they insisted back that they did not want to do that, I would keep seeing doctors until I found the RIGHT ONE who would treat my body in the way that I wanted it treated. Doctors are not gods or popes. Do not cave in to them. It is your body. Be well informed, do internet research, talk to a lot of people. Make up your mind, make a decision, and then stand firm. For me, this would be an awesome opportunity to finally get rid of an unwanted body part. So that only would add to my determination to NOT ever agree to a biopsy.