lump

[AtomicMush (imported)]

I had a similar experience. The Uro took off a lump and put the "healthy" tissue back. An ugly biopsy result and two operations later, the boys are now in a bucket on the operating room floor. I agree with eab221, once you open the testicle, you can have the cancer spread. Insist the doc remove the entire testicle, and don't take no for an answer. PM me, and I'll provide more details. - gary ps: Life without the boys is great!

[considering (imported)]

Once any part of the interior of the body is exposed it must be considered as non-sterile no matter what steps are taken. Were this me, I believe I would have asked if a needle biopsy would yield enough tissue for a complete and accurate determination as to whatever the primary cause may be. My own urologist said that once he's opened the scrotum for an excision, he considers that at some point in the future he will have to go back and remove all the involved tissue. Should your surgeon have some idiotic feelings that to remove the entire testicle may have an adverse psychological effect on you either get a new surgeon or get a psychiatrist to explain to him the pyschological damage that might be caused if compromised tissue is left and, subsequently, becomes a more serious problem arising from implanted germs that lead to a total orchietomy. Should that be the case you have recourse to the law. As Atomic Mush correctly says, "

Insist the doc remove the entire testicle

".

[unencumbered (imported)]

As Atomic Mush correctly says, "

Insist the doc remove the entire testicle

".

Both my surgeons did not recommend biopsies in case the testicles were cancerous, which could have caused the cancer to spread. Instead, they both recommended radical orchiectomies, which I had done.

[considering (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.

The Cleveland Clinic enjoys an enormous reputation for their excellence. If they've handed you on to the specialist you describe I would hope by now you've made the appointment. This is a cautious but very thorough plan of action. Some people see specialists as just another medical boondoggle, this isn't the case here so best of luck. Keep us posted.

[eab221 (imported)]

The specialist said he does not believe it is cancer but cant be sure without more info. He gave me the choice of waiting 2 months and follow up ultrasound to see if it grows or removing it. I may be leaving the country or traveling a lot with work so I am hoping it is negative. But the waiting will just keep me in limbo so I figure I may as well just get it removed. That way I know what it is. The specialist said the same thing you guys mentioned about not being able to do a simple biopsy due to the risk of spreading cancer if that is the case.

[unencumbered (imported)]

The specialist said he does not believe it is cancer but cant be sure without more info. He gave me the choice of waiting 2 months and follow up ultrasound to see if it grows or removing it. I may be leaving the country or traveling a lot with work so I am hoping it is negative. But the waiting will just keep me in limbo so I figure I may as well just get it removed. That way I know what it is. The specialist said the same thing you guys mentioned about not being able to do a simple biopsy due to the risk of spreading cancer if that is the case.

Based on my two experiences, the recovery time for a RO should be quick, without complications. The worse part, for me anyway, was the constipation about three days post op the first time. Good luck and I hope that it's not cancerous.

[MIunich1 (imported)]

I agree with those of us who recommend 'removal' vs. just a tissue sample.

My wife, Amy, had an Mammogram, then a MRI for a suspicious lump in her breast from the radiologist report. Her GP was wondering why she didn't have a biopsy. She told her GP she wanted a second opinion and sent her to Karmonos Cancer institute in Detroit. The Dr. at KCI said to have the biopsy but wanted a reason why not to have it by saying," I don't understand why you do not want to know". Amy said after having her mother pass away from Breast Cancer back in 1976 it wasn't a pretty site. Then her Aunt (moms sister had BC) not just once but three times (lumpectomy, full mastectomy and more recently another bout on some remaining breast tissue along the chestwall) and is now 70. My wife's sister, had a preventative radical mastectomy even though she didn't have a lump or have the BRAC1/2 gene.

Amy said the lump has been the same size in her mammograms ever since she started to have them done so why disturb it. You cannot feel the lump, it just shows on the films.

Amy told the KCI doctor, everyone she knows who had the biopsies for cancer, when it was positive had a much shorter lifespan than if they probably didn't have it done. The Dr. said, the 'studies' show just the other way happens.

I believe, for some , biopsies are a lifesaver; but based on our experience, its just the opposite. And like 'nullorchis' said, about it spreading the bloodstream once there is a wound opening on a tumor. I believe this is what happens.

Anyway just my 1/2 penny worth.

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.

[janekane (imported)]

I have never, and will never, consent to a biopsy that does not remove the whole of any "lump" that portends of possible cancer. I have known too many people, my dad and brother included, for whom the "gold standard" of a partial biopsy of some possible malignancy resulted in metastases to many organs such that the actual cause of death was the biopsy.

[hd2500ne (imported)]

Like a lot of the others have said it maybe best to just have it removed and be done with it and not have to worry.

[MIunich1 (imported)]

Not to be religious, but, Amen hd2500ne.

You can feel free to yell "AMEN!" at any time.