Question on ultrasound..

[dan_anderson1]

Hey all,

I am finally going in this week to get checked after having lumps on my left testicle for 12 years. I've been feeling differently lately, so I have no idea if it's TC or not. Anyways, can they tell if its cancer by an ultrasound? I realize that bloodwork will need to be done too, but I was just wondering if they can tell right away if it may be cancer or not by an ultrasound.

This might depend on the clinic etc, but if I go in Thursday, when do you think they will schedule the ultrasound? Thanks all,

[IowaBrian]

No the ultra sound will not be able to tell them if it is cancer but it will tell them what they are looking at (or feeling) and with that info they can tell you if it something to be alarmed about. Trust me if they don't like what they see the doctors move fast. You might ask that they call the results to the doctor so you can go in and talk to him about it right away. With mine I had to wait until they called the doctor and if there was a problem I would be sent back to him, which I was and he sent me to a Uro for follow up and surgery.
Hope this helps.
Brian

[Kev332]

Dan,

What they will determine from the ultrasound is whether or not the lump is a solid mass or not. If if is a solid mass, it is most likely TC, but they cannot tell for sure if it defenitly is cancerous untill they remove the testicle and examine it under a microscope. If your doctor feels that it has characteristics of TC, I'm sure you'll be in for an ultrasound very soon. But take it one step at a time and see what your doctor has to say.

Click on THIS LINK to read more about this.

So these "lumps", do they seem to be "attached" to the testicle? Have they grown/shrunk over the years?? What has your doctor said when you have been in on previous physicals?

Take care.

[dan_anderson1]

Thanks for the info Kev.

The lumps have been there for a really long time, and the thing is its not just one - it is multipe little lumps. Both times I have been checked down there, in '94 and 2000, the doctors have said nothing, as if they weren't there (I did not to go the doctors specifically for that).

I know, I should not have waited this long.. and after 12 years, I'm wondering if it's something else that's caused me to feel weird. I had sharp pain in my abdoment about a month ago, and now it's completely gone. Now, however, I am getting shortness of breath every now and then. This is the first time I have had any kind of physical ailment which would cause me to think it might be TC. But after 12 years? I don't know, I'm pretty scared but the only thing I can do is finally go to the doc.

The lumps are on the left side of my left testicle - they seem attached, and not part of my scrotum.

[Kev332]

Hmm, well its good that you are going to see a doctor now. Since they've been there for so long and haven't really changed, i wouldn't suspect it to be TC, but its good that you are going to your doc. Try not to stress yourself out too much,,, it could be cysts or something else.

Keep in touch and let us know what they find out.

[dan_anderson1]

Cool, I will let you know. My appointment is for Thursday morning. I'm just wondering what that former abdominal pain and current shortness of breath episodes are all about.

[Karen]

Sharp abdominal pain a month ago that is completely gone is most likely not anything to worry about. Shortness of breath every now and then can be stress related. Most likely not TC. Let us know the US results and good luck!!