Lump on top of teste...

[jawdad]

I've read numerous posts on this great site...and at the risk of being redundant...here goes...

I'm a 39 year old white man...and about a year or so ago I discovered a small hard lump on top of my testicle. Ignored it for the past year...then finally got smart and had my family doc take a look. I was in for my physical last week and he examined me. He said the lump is on the 'north pole' of my left testicle...and is very suspicious. The lump is just about the size of a pea...is hard...and is not painful. It may be a bit larger than it was a year ago...but not dramatically larger. His words..."based on the exam....it's very suspicious for cancer...and we need to rule out cancer. He had me make an appointment with a urologist that is coming up in less than 2 weeks.

Other syptoms that I have no idea if related are...

Fatigue and general weakness for the past 6 months, especially in my legs. Balance problems and double vision issues (he has me seeing a neurologist for these). I have also had frequent lower back pain. Also was diagnosed with lymphedema in my left foot a few years back (swollen foot).

I've done a ton of research on the web...and most of it is alarming. My hope is that it's a cyst...as I have read similar stories with that happy ending. Concern is that it truly feels like the lump is ON my testicle...and not the epididymis. It feels to me like its on the teste just next to that.

Can you offer me any similar experiences?? And would my family doctor have been able to tell if the lump is on my testicle of my epididymis??

As you know, I'm very concerned. Can you tell me anything based on your past??

[dadmo]

jawdad:
Since you went to the doctor with a specific complaint he probably got the location right and it is on the testicle. I know it's hard to not be upset but the doctor is right about having you go to a urologist. Any lump on the testicle should be considered suspicious. Only an ultrasound will confirm if it's a solid mass or not, the fact that it is on the testicle is a good sign. I would ignore what you think are other symptoms, once you hear the "C" word everyone tends to think every ache or pain is a symptom, that's quite normal. I wouldn't assume cancer at this point but don't miss that appointment and hopefully you can write back telling us that it was a cyst.

[jawdad]

Dadmo...

Thanks for the fast reply...could you clarify something for me? You said "the fact that its on the testicle is a good sign"?? From what I've read...that would not be a good sign?? Please explain. Thanks again!

[dadmo]

If the lumps is on the testicle but you can move it around that's good if it is fixed firmly into the testicle and is hard that would be more suspect. My son had no surface lump it was all contained within the testicle.

[jawdad]

It is hard and fixed. Unable to move it around. Thanks for answering quickly again.

[dadmo]

At this point all I can say is don't miss that appointment, The ultrasound will give you an answer, good luck and keep us posted. You may want to check information on seminoma, if you do have something at your age that's most likely what it would be.

[jawdad]

Don't worry...I won't miss the appointment. Heck, I may not even sleep until then...and it's still 13 days away (but whos counting). Thanks for the info.

by the way...could you clarify what all the abbreviations in your signature stand for? ANd where can I find the story about your son?? I'm compelled.

[dadmo]

jawdad:
My son's story is unwritten, very bad on my part. There are some pictures here and I do intend on writing about our experiance.

http://www.geocities.com/nawmoses/page1.html

WNEC=Western New England College
4EP=four rounds of Etoposide Cisplatin (chemo)
RPLND=Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection (removal of the lymph nodes affected by cancer)

What about you? married? Children? Anxious?

[jawdad]

Dadmo..

Yes very anxious...and seem to be getting more anxious the more time I have on my hands. I should've had this checked out a long time ago...but now I'm afraid of what it to come. The more research I do on it...the more anxiety enters the picture. I need to just stay off the internet until my next appt.

I had convinced myself yesterday that it was just a cyst...based on the location at the top of the testicle. But it really does feel like its part of the testicle and not the epydidimus. Plus, like I said before, I would imagine my doctor would have know the difference?? I did have blood work done as part of my physical...but the tests for the "tumor markers" were not ordered. So the countdown is on until June 2nd. From what you know, should I expect a definitive answer that day?? Or could there be more waiting?? More tests?

To answer your questions....I'm divorced...and a single dad of 4 kids...which certainly raises the stakes on all of this. My ex recently completed drug and alcohol treatment and is hopefully on the road to recovery. She is becoming more involved with the kids all the time. So there is some hope there.

I've told very few people about this possibility...only my girlfriend, my dad and one co-worker. I will not tell my children until I know what is going on for sure. Hopefully I'll never have to discuss anything with them.

So for now, I wait...and try not to drive myself crazy. Like you said...suddenly every twinge in my body has me thinking....crazy!

How was your son diagnosed...syptoms...how is he today?

[dadmo]

jawdad:
I would be scared to, but it is still possible that it's something other then cancer. Even if it is cancer you will survive. This is one of those cancers that they have almost completly beaten. When you get the ultrasound it will tell the doctor if the growth is solid or fluid filled. If it is solid they will tell you that day and very soon after you will have to say goodbye to one of the boys. It isn't until they examine the testicle that they can tell you if it's cancer or benign. Don't beat youreself up about putting off the exam we all do the same thing. My son waited 4 months to tell us and it made no differance in his treatment and today you would never know anything happened. He beat it and so will you.

[jawdad]

GLad to hear that your son beat it. I saw the pictures....and it doesn't look like a fun experience. Is he back to 100% today?

It's funny I read so many posts on this board before typing one myself. I saw your replys all over the board...and most of the time it's you telling people that they have nothing to worry about. So I figured I'd get the same answer. Funny...not so much. I certainly didn't expect the response I got...but I REALLY do appreciate your honest opinion. Thanks.

The questions that keeps coming into my mind are this:

(I realize you did answer this first one already...but I want to make sure...and if others are reading this, please chime in)

1. Since the lump is on top...and near the epydidmius...I'm hoping it's a cyst. Now the question is, would my family doctor have known this based on his exam?? I told him about the lump and then he examined me.

2. Since I waited so long to see a doctor, should this lump have grown? It is a bit larger...but not much. Lump feels like a bb or pea under the surface of the testicle. I cannot move it around without moving the teste.

Any thoughts?? Sorry to be repetitive...but I want to make sure I understand you opinions.

[Scott]

Don't worry...I won't miss the appointment. Heck, I may not even sleep until then...and it's still 13 days away (but whos counting).

Thirteen days? Is that the earliest appointment you can get? I'd try to get in sooner if you can. While it may not be cancer, from your description, it is, as your doctor said, suspicious.

[jawdad]

At first my appointment was not until June 29th!! Then my doctor called and put some pressure on the urologist...and they moved it until June 2nd. Much better. I'm on a call if there's a cancel list....I told them I can be there in 15 minutes if they call me anytime!

[dadmo]

jawdad:
This answer isn't going to make you happy but the doctor told you all he can from a physical exam. You really need the ultrasound to tell you if it's serious. It is still quite possible that it's a cyst but as the doctor said it seems suspicious. Don't worry about asking the same questions over, it's quite normal. As for my son he is 100% physically fine. Still a bit shell shocked because of what he went through but time will heal that wound.

[jawdad]

Update

Just thought I'd post the results of my long awaited appt. with the Urologist. After a grope, squeeze and a shine...he looked up and said...I've got good news for you....you have nothing more than a cyst. I've never been so happy to have been groped by a grown man...come to think of it...it's only the 2nd time I've been fondled by a man...and the last was my family doc just last month! So, all good news for me....nothing to worry about...ANYMORE! What a relief!

Thanks for all the advise from my initial post...and best of luck to all. Keep up the good fight!