Needing some thoughts?

[wonderingmom]

I've been reading through some posts, trying to gather information. And as usual, the internet is full of information I probably shouldn't have read.

My husband is 27years old, and we've been married for almost 7 years. He's always had this "ache" in his testicles, but he didn't think anything of it. Recently, w/in the past 6-9mths, he found a lump that he thought was a cyst. This was on the left side. He said it aches, and is painful to touch.

I finally got him to go see our GP, and he ordered an u/s, and also put him on a high dose of Cipro, to kill any infection. After being on Cipro the full term of the rx, the lump was left unchanged. During that time, he went for the u/s. The u/s found that there were 3 on his left testicle, and 1 on his right. The one on the left, that is 3mm, is the one he can feel externally, the others he had no idea were there.

He returned to the GP for the u/s results last week, and the Dr. sent him to see a Urologist, the soonest they had was Sept 21 (!) That wasn't okay in my book, so I managed to get him another appt elsewhere for next Tues. It still seems like too long.

I guess where I am with this, is that we haven't really been given any information on where were are with things, and a diagnosis. Could this be cancer? Are they harmless cysts? Does anyone have any advice, thoughts? If they were willing to wait to see him until Sept 21, does that mean they're really sure it's not cancer?

Thank you in advance for any thoughts, I really appreciate it. I've read throughout alot of the stories here, and am very encouraged by the results so many have had!

[IowaBrian]

Hello and Welcome
First off I would call the GP and ask what the results of the US were if it is a solid mass I would be getting into the URO today. Call, have your doctor call they need to get him in ASAP. Now the chances for TC on both is very very rare or at least at the same time.
Don't be alarmed that you can't feel the other 2 if they are 1 or 2 mm it would be very hard to feel them and might just be small cyst (I had a small cyst that I couldn't feel).
If you have any other questions fire away.
Brian

[dadmo]

wonderingmom:
Welcome to the forum, I'm sorry you had to look for us. Brian is right, call your GP and find out what the ultrasound showed. If the mass in the testicle is solid you need to act quickly. Did they do any blood work to check for tc?

[wonderingmom]

Hi guys, thanks so much for the quick responses!

They didn't do bloodwork, they didn't shine the light thru the mass (like I've read) so I just don't know what to think. I was assuming that since they didn't have any urgency behind him getting into the Urologist, that the mass was fluid filled. We have the films here, but obviously I'm not trained to see what they are. I'll have him call there shortly, to find out.

If they are fluid filled cysts, that would be a guarantee that there isn't cancer present? Will they remove those, or leave them be? The one 3mm one is causing pain, and the Dr spoke of draining it, and testing the fluid. If it isn't a solid mass, what would they be testing for?

I know you guys might not have all the answers, but it sure helps hearing other opinions!

[IowaBrian]

If it isn't solid they may try another drug to kill any infection or they might just have him wait it out a month to see if the body will take care of it.
If it is solid mass surgery to remove the testical is about the only option since there is no way to test it without removing it due to the risk of spreading cancer cells.
As for light trick the US will tell them if it is fluid filled no need to worry about that old school light test.
Don't worry too much until you get the US results and we will help you figure them out if you have any question.
Brian

[dadmo]

If the mass is fluid filled it will be a cyst, which they may be able to treat with medication. If it is a solid mass the doctors should want to remove the mass (testicle) and have a biopsy done on the mass.

[Karen]

Welcome, unfortunately! Do you have a copy of the report as well as the films? Get, and keep, copies of all scans and bloodwork for your records and for second opinions. If it is a cyst or hydrocele, it can be nothing or it can be formed as a reaction to something else, like a tumor. Good for you for not being willing to wait until the end of September for the urologist. Let us know what the doc tells you at your appointment and, if you haven't found it already, poke around http://tcrc.acor.org for information and terms as well as questions to ask. Good luck and keep us posted!

[wonderingmom]

Thanks everyone! We got the report, and it specifically states that there are 2 epididymal cysts on the left, and 1 on the right. It also says that there is a septated epididymal cyst.

I guess where I'm confused, is that the Dr mentioned testing the fluid drawn from the cysts. Are we completely clear of a cancer scare right now, seeing as how they said they're cysts? They're not testing the fluid for that, right?

I'm sorry if this all seems petty compared to what some of you have dealt or are dealing with. I just want to go into this Urologist appt as prepared as possible. Thanks you!

[IowaBrian]

Sounds like just fluid filled cyst which should be NO cancer
Never have had a cyst drained so I don't know what test they would be doing. My cyst which was very small just went away.
I would write down all questions so you don't forget any good luck at the URO

http://www.webmd.com/hw/lab_tests/ux1136.asp

Brian

[dadmo]

wonderingmom:
Congratulations it sounds like you're in the clear. I'm not sure why they would test the fluid but having cysts means the cancer scare is gone.

[Ras Joe]

My guess is they would test the fluid to dee if there is any specific pathogen that is causing the the cyst and therefore have a better idea of why they occurred in the first place and/or how to get rid of them (other than naturally, like IowaBrian's). Just a guess, I can't think of why else they would want to test the fluid other than that?