Advice needed please.

[gh06]

I'm 22 years old and have recently (in the last two weeks) noticed a hard lump at the front/side of my left testicle. I went to the doctor a week ago. At the time i was not experiencing any pain and i t was difficult to find the lump as i was nervous, causing the skin to thicken around the area. Eventually the doctor found it and he confirmed that there was a very small hard lump that was on the front of my left testicle. He conferred with another doctor about what action to take (the other doctor did not examine me) and they decided that it was not necessary for me to have an ultrasound yet and for me to just come back in a month.

He said that it could be something that has always been there which i havn't noticed (i have checked before but not very well) or that it could be something which is just growing on the lining of the testicle rather than in the testicle itself. This confused me as i havn't heard of this before and i was so relieved that i didn't ask him to clarify what he meant. My first question is, what else could this lump be if it is not cancer?

Now, one week later and i have been having some aching and sharp pains in my groin and testicle (some of this may possibly be from touching it too much). When the skin on my scrotum is soft, the lump is also very clear and fairly hard.

Secondly, Should i go back to see the doctor, or wait until it has been a month?

I'm worried that if i do go back, i will have difficulty finding it again as the skin gets hard if i'm cold or nervous at all...and i don't want to seem over-cautious. I also feel reluctant to 'push the issue' if the only treatment is removal of the testicle for any hard lump.

I'd be very thankful for any advice.

[dadmo]

gh06:
There are many things it could be other then testicular cancer, such as a calcium deposit or cyst. I don’t agree with your doctor wanting you to wait a month. Any testicular problem should be examined by a urologist and if they find a lump or bump which is on or coming from the testicle it should be checked via ultrasound. I would call the doctor and see if he won’t refer you to a urologist. Don’t panic over this but get it checked.

[gh06]

I thought that cysts and calcium deposits were either not hard or were not found in or on the testicle itself?

I'm thinking of going back next Monday which would be 2 weeks since the first appointment rather than a month.

I should have noted that a little while prior to finding the lump, i deliberately abstained from anything sexual for a week to the point where things started to ache. I'm hoping that my symptoms are a result of this although i doubt it.

Thanks for the reply.

[dadmo]

gh06:
Calcium deposits can indded be hard and usually cysts are not attached to the testicle but sometimes it's hard to tell. The only way to really tell what's going on is to get an ultrasound and blood work.

[gh06]

Can calcium deposits be on/in the testicle? I thought i read somewhere that they were more in the skin.

Any idea why the doctor was so reluctant to send me for an utrasound? Just the cost of it?...or does he want to see if the small, hard lump will disappear?

[dadmo]

Most doctors have never seen anyone with testicular cancer so they almost always assume it's something else. It's a simple lack of knowledge.

[Scott]

I agree with dadmo; I'd ask a urologist for an ultrasound and get a real diagnosis.

[gh06]

I'm going to go back to the doctor soon. At the moment it's aching so badly that it's hard to sit down for long. I don't know if maybe i've bruised it by checking it or if the pain is something else???

Apart from the tiny bump in/on the testicle, the left onme just doesn't feel as smooth as the right. I don't know what to think at the moment.

[dadmo]

Good luck with the doctor. Try and have you doctor arrange for you to see a urologist.

[gh06]

The pain got so bad last night and this morning that i couldn't really sit down for long so i went to make an appointment with the doctor this morning. The docor that i saw previously wasn't available so i had to see a female doctor.

She couldn't find the lump that the other doc found (and neither could i really...it's only possible when the skin is soft enough). I told her about what the other doc found....i.e. a small lump on the testicle and she said she'd send me for an ultrasound to make sure.

The only thing is, the ultrasound appointment will take 2-3 months. I asked her if any earlier was possible and she said it wouldn't (British NHS waiting lists). As for the pain, she told me just to take some ibuprofen and to keep my original follow up appointment (in 2 weeks time).

So i guess i'm just going to have to take some painkillers and wait for at least 2 weeks until my next appointment.

[dadmo]

Wow, 2-3 months is a long time. If at your next appointment the doctor thinks you have a problem can that wait be shortened?

[gh06]

Wow, 2-3 months is a long time. If at your next appointment the doctor thinks you have a problem can that wait be shortened?

I'm not really sure to be honest. I might try to pay for it done privately...that's probably the only way that it could be done sooner.

If i'm still in as much pain as i have been in 2 weeks time and if i can still feel that lump then i might ask if it's possible to have the ulrasound brought forward, but i doubt they'd be able to. It's great having a system that's free but the waiting lists can be huge.

[Scott]

Can phillymorris, Tim Stollery, or one of our other UK members offer some tips on navigating the system?

[icoe]

uk nhs

I know what you mean, we had the same same problem with ( UK NHS) before my son was diagnosed, You could try going to the Emergency dept if the pain gets too bad , it could be a way of getting ultra-sound done a bit quicker 2-3 months is along time to wait. Its worth a try !!!!

[Ras Joe]

I would try the emergency department if I were you. I don't know if it is the same in the UK, but in the US where my mom is an ED nurse, they take testicular pain very serious and will have an ultrasound performed at the ED. The thought behind it is that if they don't check things out they can get a big time medical negligence lawsuits on their hands if there is a problem that could affect a man's fertility. I worry for you waiting that long because of how fast TC can spread and the fact that very nasty treatments can be avoided with early detection. I pray things work out for your best interest. Keep us updated.

P.S. gh06 I don't want to assume since you are from the UK you are a football fan, but if you are what is your favorite football team? I love the Reds, GO LIVERPOOL!! (and I haven't jumped on the Champion's League win bandwagon, I have loved 'em since they had "Candy" on the front of their kits (80's). Although, I do love their new adidas red, gold, and green away kits-- Rasta colors!!)