testicular cancer or what?

[svenzino]

Ever since I had a little bit of discomfort in my genital region specifically the testicles I started doing the google thing online looking at symptoms of different diseases and came along to testicular cancer. I pretty much prodded around down there until my testicle began to hurt (searching for bumps). I noticed that the left testicle had a little swelling at the epididymis and and general discomfort from rubbing around so I visited the doctor...Went to the office and he examined me for a few moments and said

"you are fine...They look fine he says to me...You do not have cancer he says."

i feel good and relieved for the rest of that day but still the discomfort ensues and again I search for signs that I have tc...That night after the doctors visit I notice a small, literally tiny spot that is between the epididymis and the testicle. It feels roughly like a piece of sand or the tip of a pen or tip of a rice grain perhaps (that is how small it is). He must have missed it during the exam but its hard to find and you must touch it a certain way to even feel it....Question: should I be concerned about this or take the advice from my general practioner/doctor that I am fine?...Also does size of a bump make a difference? I have read this may be anything from a calcium spot to a cyst.

I am a hypochondriac with a lot of anxiety (which tends to make my symptoms worse) I would appreciate it if others who have experienced this sort of thing to reply...

Thanks,
svenzino

[svenzino]

why wont anyone respond to my post?

[Scott]

It's highly likely that it's something less serious than cancer, perhaps completely normal, but you should ask your doctor about it.

[svenzino]

I asked him seriously and he shrugged things off saying you are fine. He felt them real quick and said you are good but I kept on doing the self tests injuring them more (I put my focus on the left b/c it felt larger thus only hurting it). I visited with him approximately 8 days-9 days ago. I was concerned about the ache that I think I created myself by obsessive compulsive acts of trying to find something wrong. Not sure if I created this myself...the discomfort is almost gone since I stopped the self exams but I have decided to go for an ultrasound and scheduled such today (for tuesday FEB 21). The facts are that this tiny spot is driving me crazy (lodged between the epididymis and the top of the testicle-I cannot tell where the exact location is) and I am scared. I cannot concentrate at work... I am 25 years old just as a reference.

Thankyou,
Zino

[Scott]

It sounds as though it's most important to talk to someone about your anxiety.

[huckchef]

get the ultrasound and go from there! you could worry yourself sick about this but the ultra sound will determine your fate. lets us know!

[svenzino]

I need to get that anxiety checked out yes. The doctor said let me make the diagnosis which I know I should trust.

[Scott]

I have really mixed feelings about that. It is important to trust them, but doctors aren't always right.

[svenzino]

Scott,

Yes i know I should trust him... but you think that this may be? Just curious as to your thoughts as you said think its probably normal or unrelated from a few posts ago...I am going to see the urologist tomorrow at 11 AM. Do you think that I am overreacting as I did a self exam for literally weeks on end and finally found this tiny spot that I would have never found if I did a normal exam...Probing this area has made me crazy...the discomfort has pretty much dissipated after two weeks since I went to the doctor (my GP).

I appreciate your feedback,
Zino

[Scott]

Zino, it does seem likely that aggressive self-examination aggravated your discomfort. Let us know what you hear tomorrow morning from the urologist.

[svenzino]

Scott and anyone else looking,

The meeting with the Urologist went pretty well from what I got from him. I explained my pain/discomfort which has since dissipated and he did an examination. He noticed not too much out of the ordinary and said that there may be the tiniest cyst on the left side.

I asked if it was on the testicle and he said "No not on the testicle", I said are you sure he said yes I'm sure its not...I think I should trust this guy as he is the specialist here. He pretty much told me it was on the epididymis and him telling me it is not on the testicle itself was a relief to me. He said it could be a varicocele or cyst whatever that is. He said that this is very common in people of my age (25). He said all things checked out well and you should be fine. He said that I could get an ultrasound and that it was up to me. I told him I would do so. What do you think?-again this is a second opinion...

Thanks,
Zino

[Scott]

I'm glad you got good news. I suspect you'll be less anxious if you go through with the ultrasound.

[svenzino]

the fact that the doctor said that it (the small bump) wasn't on the testicle is a very good sign correct? I made him tell me twice that it was not. Is he just sending me for an ultrasound to "cover himself" for liability issues that is? Because after all he is a urologist and he out of anyone would know if it is on there. If it was serious wouldn't they get me in for an ultrasound that afternoon? Just wondering...I have scheduled a follow up for Monday 2/27/06

[Scott]

Yes, it's definitely good news. I think the ultrasound is more for your peace of mind, so you can be sure. Things don't always move as fast as they should even when it is serious, so I wouldn't go by that measure.

[svenzino]

Ok well I had the ultrasound yesterday. The woman doing the ultrasound would not comment on whether or not she saw anything while doing it(probably b/c shes just a technician and did not want to speculate). She took a whole bunch of pictures and listened for blood flow. She then went to show the radiologist who did not see anything.

So then she had to do a second round of images and I had to point to the spot which was in question. She then went back to the Radiologist who relayed there was nothing to be worried about. I asked what it was and she said it (tiny cyst i suppose) is on the epididymis and is less than 2 mm or 2cm...So no concerns...

Thanks for your help