What are the chances of that, then?

[DaveUK]

Hi all,

Anyone know what the chances are of having a testicle removed and there turning out to be no cancer? I get the impression that ultrasound and blood tests can't disprove a cancer, and so if you do have a lump on the actual testicle, then they have to do a biopsy anyway - which equals removal (here in UK anyway). Is this correct? Basically, that would mean the decision to visit the Doc with a lump amounts to a decision *by you* to have it removed. This is what's putting me off somewhat!

[stevenh77]

If there's a solid mass on the testicle, it's almost certainly cancer. There is a slight chance (maybe 1%-2%) that it's not, but it's best to have it removed just to be safe.

If you don't have it removed and it is cancer, you're just making things harder for yourself. Trust me on this one, I know from experience, if you let testicular cancer go for too long you will end up needing chemotherapy and/or RPLND surgery. I'm about to start my third round of chemo (Tuesday) and I still don't know if I'll need RPLND, I have to wait until my next CT scan to find out what my lymph nodes look like.

Depending on the type of testicular cancer, it can spread very rapidly into your lymph nodes, lungs, and even into your brain. Don't take that chance, if there's a lump have it checked out. If it's a solid mass on the testicle, have it removed as soon as possible. The surgery can be (and usually is) done as an outpatient procedure, you'll be up on your feet and out of the hospital the same day. Mine took less than an hour, and I was out for a total of 2 and a half hours from the anesthetic.

Honestly I think some of the more "odd" side effects of the anesthetic (Propofol) were worse than the very minor pain from the surgery or the idea of only having one testicle. I was having some pretty strange dreams for about a week after my orchiectomy.

[dadmo]

Dave:
Going to the doctor for a lump on the testicle does not mean that the testicle will be removed. Several tests will be done before that drastic step is taken. You will get an exam by you doctor, a urologist, blood tests and a ultrasound and all must come back showing that you have a solid or suspicious mass in or on the testicle before the doctors will remove one of the boys. It must also be remembered that if you have tc and it’s caught early the removal of the testicle will cure you.

[DaveUK]

OK, just seen the Doc after a couple of months of procrastination and lurking around here.

A couple of months ago I started getting intermittent aching above, and at the back of the right testicle. It's always been tender on that side since I was around 14, but this is really aching (although not in the last week, ironically). I now have a pea-sized lump at the top right side of the right testicle. Strangely, while practicing finding it in preparation for seeing Doc today, I realized there might be a much bigger hard area on left side of the same testicle. Previously, I hadn't thought anything of this; thought it might just be a vessel of some kind.

I had to see a stand-in Doc that I'd never heard of as my normal GP is on holiday. I'd considered phoning back to check it was going to be a male doctor. When I got there, it was... an attractive, youngish female! (well, I'm 48). But once there, I didn't seem to care anymore. Once I'd started explaining, it wasn't a problem - in fact the normal guy is about as sympathetic as "House", so it was probably better. I wish I'd done it earlier now (you hear? You other lurkers out there?!).

I was really worried about the examination as the area above the testicle is so tender that when examining myself I ended up yelping and feeling sick and faint. I'd always told myself this was just some kind of non-threatening epididymis issue/inflamation. I explained this, and she let me rummage around and point out the suspicious areas of the testicle which she felt very gently. She thought the large hard area was definitely a real lump too. She concluded we need to get it checked out urgently, and has arranged for a scan which I should hear about within 2 weeks (if not, to come back). She's taken a urine sample. (But isn't it normal to take a blood sample at this point, or will they do this when I get scanned?)

Sorry if this has turned into a bit of a blog, but thought it might spur someone else here into making the move too...

I may well have TC, but at least I don't feel guilty anymore. Will keep you posted...

[Scott]

The urine test is for infection. I had an ultrasound before I had blood tests.

You should have a scan "urgently," but it may take up to two weeks? Now that things are in motion, can't you move along faster than that?

[dadmo]

Dave:
It’s important to move forward quickly. It may not be cancer but the sooner your scan is done the better. Try and move the date up if at all possible.

[DaveUK]

"The urine test is for infection. I had an ultrasound before I had blood tests."

OK, thanks for that.

I suspect that two weeks is some kind of general target here in the 'third world' (UK). Our government has been micromanaging, re-organizing and setting targets like it's going out of fashion. Not sure what I can do really. If I don't hear anything in a week, suppose I should do something. Dunno what though.

[dave25285]

That’s odd I live in the UK and was told by my Dr that because he was fairly certain all I had was a cyst he wouldn't rush to get me an ultrasound. My appointment finally came through as being two weeks after my initial GP referral (incidentally it is this afternoon!).

The Dr said that if he had been more concerned he would have phoned the hospital straight up and got me in within a couple of days. Maybe you should check back with your surgery and see if another Dr who knows the area etc can get you in sooner.

[DaveUK]

dave25285, I phoned NHS-direct (for non-Brits that's an official health advice line). They said that 2 weeks is the target in urgent cancer referrals to the first outpatient appointment - which they reckoned the scan probably counted as, however, that that was a bit unclear. I think Pilgrim (who may know better) reckoned in his blog that the scan didn't count as that. Anyway, they suggested I phone the hospital and ask what their wait is. Wouldn't surprise me if there's no one there that knows the first thing about TC.

[dave25285]

dave25285, I phoned NHS-direct (for non-Brits that's an official health advice line). They said that 2 weeks is the target in urgent cancer referrals to the first outpatient appointment - which they reckoned the scan probably counted as, however, that that was a bit unclear. I think Pilgrim (who may know better) reckoned in his blog that the scan didn't count as that. Anyway, they suggested I phone the hospital and ask what their wait is. Wouldn't surprise me if there's no one there that knows the first thing about TC.

Well when my GP was referring me, he seemed to suggest that he could select an urgent referral on the referral form. This is what he did for me, and I guess most other patients (this took two weeks).

However he said that if he had been more suspicious of my lump he could have phoned the hospital to get a next day appointment, maybe you should see if a resident GP at your practice can do that.

[DaveUK]

Recap: GP arranged "urgent" ultrasound on Monday.

I've just phoned the hospital ultrasound dept. They've got my form and it does say "urgent". But the radiologist won't vet the forms until next week to decide the priority! They said it's up to the GP to phone through and make a case if something is urgent. I phoned the GP surgery, and the receptionist said, 'that's funny, our system has always been to just fax through as "urgent" and my form says "urgent" in capitals right across it. Receptionist spoke to another doctor (the one I saw is off for a few days) and phoned me back to say the other GP phoned the hospital, and the hospital had told him that I'd hear about it in "a couple of days" - as though that was going to happen anyway. I reiterated what the hospital had told me, and she said "well, that's what they told the doctor".

It's bad enough if the hospital system is slow or perhaps inefficient, or even incompetently run. But dishonesty like that p1sses me off. I'm sure the GP receptionist thinks all was in order and I was just being paranoid/pushy. I am mindful of the ethical dilemma around pushing ones own case up the queue by just kicking up a fuss. But the hospital seems to have just been trying to cover themselves while only really looking at the official 2-week max target.

Looks like a good job you lot gave me kick up the backside to do something more about it. Cheers.

[Karen]

Wow.....I hear the NHS is great as far as financial aspects go, but I would go crazy dealing with all the waiting you guys must do across the pond. Anything show up with the urine sample? Good luck!!!!

[DaveUK]

"Wow.....I hear the NHS is great as far as financial aspects go,..."

Well, 'free at the point of use'. Hope it's worth more than you pay for it.

"Anything show up with the urine sample?"

Couldn't see anything. . No, haven't heard anything yet.

Thanks.

[DaveUK]

Ultrasound tomorrow. That's eight days from referral, so phone call from GP did speed up original estimate of 2 weeks.

Worried but want to know.

[Karen]

Hope the US went well for you today...please let us know when you get some results...hoping for only good news!