DocT (imported) wrote: Thu Aug 25, 2005 10:36 pm
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!
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