Lump in hydrocele/ What next?

[underdog123]

Hi. I am 35 and developed a hydrocele about 6-7 years ago on my left testi(got it checked out right away). I have lived with it & had no problems or concerns until 2 days ago. I noticed a lumpy, hard area on the surface of the one with the hydrocele. I called for an appt. with a urologist asap, but it will be 8 days before they can see me. I have no pain, but it really bothers me because whatever is causing this has to be fairly large to be able to be felt through the hydrocele fluid. Anyone else have this combination of problems? I am considering requesting an ultrasound before may appmt. Thanks.

[Karen]

underdog,
Welocme to the forum. Hydroceles can form as a result of something else...like a tumor...but if you had yours for 6-7 years sounds like this is a new glitch. If you feel a hardening I'd insist on an US as soon as possible...no sense being worried for a week and this way if you can't see the urologist any sooner (I'd push for that too) you'll have the diagnostic part done and can get an answer. Good luck and please keep us posted.

[Scott]

Sooner is better. It definitely sounds suspect and deserves an ultrasound.

[underdog123]

Thanks Karen and Scott for the advise. Had my first visit to the url. yesterday and am scheduled for a U/S this afternoon. The Dr. gave me no information at all yesterday - just said that we need to do the ultrasound asap. They did take a urine sample - but didn't say anything about the results of that either. Ok - i'm pretty nervous now....I don't think no news is good news in this case. So my question is - What exactly do I want to hear and don't want to hear when I call for my results this afternoon? Worse case? Best case?

[dadmo]

What you don't want to hear is that it is a solid mass. If that's what they see it will have to be removed for evaluation.

[Karen]

underdog,
So you will have the US results this afternoon, after the US? Good you don't have to wait on that. If it's a mass, like dadamo said, it will need to come out very soon. If you have ANY questions in your mind for the doctor, and he/she doesn't volunteer information you must ASK, repeatedly if necessary and if you don't underatand a term make them explain it to you on the spot. It is your body and your life and you are entitled to know what the dealis, and not in sugar-coated terms either.Please post when you get your results. We're here for you!

[underdog123]

Thanks for the information and guideance - it has helped. Ultrasound was "inconclusive" - they couldnt tell if it was a tumor or piece of small intestine. I had surgery three days ago - it was not a hernia - but a tumor and thus removed along with lefty. Unfortunately - the biopsy results won't be in until Monday....so I wait , like most here have , for the results. I was so groggy when the Dr. spoke to me post-op, I didn't remember much. He did say the other one looked good...but he wanted to put all of the information together before giving an opinion. I am (by nature) a very unlucky person and do not realistically expect great news tomorrow.... but you forum has been very informative and comforting. I can't stop reading about treatments now. Does anyone have any positive/success stories about radiation treatment? Thanks again..... and sorry for the bad spelling

[Don]

Look at it this way... Every one that posts here is a success story... More then likly if you need Radiation therapy you will only have to do it for a few weeks... It is also very possible that the surgery alone could have cured you if it was TC... Best of luck tommorrow!!!!!!

[Karen]

Glad to hear you and your doc were proactive. As Don said, you may already be cured! Please post the results of the patholgy, blood work for markers and abdominal CAT, chest X-ray, and once you know what you're dealing with we can offer guidance. Good idea to get copies if everything as well. This is highly cureable, regardless of the stage or type, so be positive. I suggest you look through http://tcrc.acor.org/ for background info and possible next steps.