Do I have cancer?

[DocT (imported)]

I had an injury to both testicles 35 years ago that required surgury. The doctor said I would probably lose my testicles some day. I have had to be on HRT for the last 30 yrs. I'm 48 now. Some doctors since then have said that the damage has made me prone to testicular cancer. Other doctors have contradicted this statement.

Last week I discovered a lump in the epididymus of my left testicle. My doctor told me on the phone that cancer of the epididymus is very rare and that it is probably just a cyst. He also said that is not how testicular cancer presents. Today a doctor told me that a precancerous condition in the testicles can cause an inflammation and swelling of the epididymus and lower cord.

Is there anyone here with any experience, knowledge or wisdom? Opinion?

In two weeks I'm seeing my urologist. She already wants to make me a eunuch, because of her opinion about the cancer risk, so this will probably make her giddy. I really like my poor little nads and want to keep them if they aren't going to kill me.

help, anyone?

DocT

[JesusA (imported)]

The best advice would be to see two (or more) urologists and/or oncologists. They will need to know your full medical history and have access to all of the tests that will now need to be done.

Without actually removing them and examining them carefully, there's no way to be 100% certain. They will only give their best advice. You will need to weigh carefully what they tell you and make your own final decision.

How much risk are you willing to take? If the doctors' consensus is that there's an 80% chance that it's cancer, will you have it removed? 50%? 20%? Just what risk will you accept to save your testicles?

No one can answer for you.

[bryan (imported)]

DocT,

Maybe there's a misunderstanding here. As long as you stay on HRT, you should remain your old self, testicles or not. Maybe the dose will have to rise and be more carefully regulated but that's all, I think.

The big problem is prostate cancer. Then you have to get T out of your system to prevent further tumor growth.

[Paolo]

I went through this same thing a couple of years ago.

I found a lump deep in the scrotum, towards the back, and a very knotted hard place in a cord. Turned out to be nothing more than some veins acting up. The cord problem turned out to be a cyst forming, that never went anywhere and vanished by itself. Not long after, a hard lump showed up in the dorsal vein of my penis. Never found out why, but it cleared up after a trip to Doc. He said it wasn't cancer after doing a feel-around and some other tests, which I forget what they were now. I had insurance at that time, so I wasn't paying much attention. All I cared about was the "no it's not that" thing.

Good luck in your own tests. I can't imagine losing your testicles if you really don't want to.

[A-1 (imported)]

I had an injury to both testicles 35 years ago that required surgury. The doctor said I would probably lose my testicles some day. I have had to be on HRT for the last 30 yrs. I'm 48 now. Some doctors since then have said that the damage has made me prone to testicular cancer. Other doctors have contradicted this statement.

Last week I discovered a lump in the epididymus of my left testicle. My doctor told me on the phone that cancer of the epididymus is very rare and that it is probably just a cyst. He also said that is not how testicular cancer presents. Today a doctor told me that a precancerous condition in the testicles can cause an inflammation and swelling of the epididymus and lower cord.

Is there anyone here with any experience, knowledge or wisdom? Opinion?

In two weeks I'm seeing my urologist. She already wants to make me a eunuch, because of her opinion about the cancer risk, so this will probably make her giddy. I really like my poor little nads and want to keep them if they aren't going to kill me.

help, anyone?

DocT

Seek a 2nd opinion if you are concerned. Since they are not working anyway, and you are on HRT, the problems that you are having with the concept of testicle removal are basically problems of a nature that is based on emotion and not practicality. It IS your life, and nobody can make this decision for you. However, you need to carefully weigh a life span of 25 years verses a possible painful death from testicular cancer. (http://tcrc.acor.org/)

However, it is not exactly russian roulette that you are playing if you wait. Perhaps you should research and try to analyze your symptoms. (http://www.aicr.org.uk/testicularcancer ... ce=Adwords)

Jesus is correct in that removal and frozen section can tell for sure, but so can needle biopsy with microscopic examination while you are still under anesthesia.

You can have silastic implants. It is nothing worse that a woman with breast cancer, except you can have a re-build on the spot.

Your urologist seems a bit anxious to remove your testicles judging from what you have said. Now, if that is her thing, then there are many folks around here who would love know her name so that they can have the testicle removal that they desire. However, that seems not to be your thing so that means that minimally you should seek out a second opinion. I would go to a teaching facility if I were you.

Testicular cancer is the most common type of cancer in men aged 15 - 34, however, it is one of the most survivable (http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/196_test.html) of cancers today. It is also rather rare and 4 times more common in white men than in black men. (Probably because black men seem to drain theirs more often than their caucasian brothers, or at least that is what we are all led to believe. )

Read all the information (http://www.tc-cancer.com/) about this that you can find and make a decision based on fact and not on opinion. It is your life and you are the only one who can make this decision. Choose wisely.

Information (http://www.urologychannel.com/testicula ... ndex.shtml) is readily available all over the Internet. Sloan-Kettering (http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/445.cfm) institute is probably a very good choice of a facility to go to seeking treatment and information. Read (http://www.cancerlinksusa.com/testicular/index.asp) as much as you can about it before you decide. Time IS something that you don't want to waste with cancer. Early Diagnosis (http://www.aafp.org/afp/990501ap/2539.html) is essential. In fact, "... Early diagnosis of testicular cancer is crucial since the doubling time of testis tumors is estimated to be 10 to 30 days."

Translation: it grows FAST.

Remember, however this turns out, we are here for you!

A-1

[DocT (imported)]

A-1, Thanks! You wrote a monograph on TC. I'm studying your links now. Outstanding! I GROK the moniker, A-1.

Your urologist seems a bit anxious to remove your testicles judging from what you have said. Now, if that is her thing, then there are many folks around here who would love know her name so that they can have the testicle removal that they desire.

She got the idea from my previous urologist based on his risk assessment. They're both wound pretty tight. I don't think they would appreciate the referrals.

I would go to a teaching facility if I were you.

Will do, Milldew. Thanks for the 411.

It is also rather rare and 4 times more common in white men than in black men. (Probably because black men seem to drain theirs more often than their caucasian brothers, or at least that is what we are all led to believe.

)

Thankfully, my penis is black, and drains constantly, due to an unfortunate misjudgment involving a snowstorm and an epileptic girl with braces.

Early diagnosis of testicular cancer is crucial since the doubling time of testis tumors is estimated to be 10 to 30 days."

Translation: it grows FAST.

10 TO 30 DAYS!!!... sobering. I'll get right on it.

You can have silastic implants. It is nothing worse that a woman with breast cancer, except you can have a re-build on the spot.

Yeah, you know, two years ago this was freaking me out, but thanks to the loving support I've found here, I'm slowly warming to the idea of rubber balls. I suppose it is preferable to a bought of death.

Fears are self fulfilling. Ome mane padme Ome. I guess I knew the day would come. That's why I'm here. 'Deep breath'.

I'll do the right thing.

My thanks to everyone for their responses.

DocT