Testicular cancer diagnosis, ultrasound missed

[jstom]

Can an ultrasound miss a tumor or cancer on a testicle where there is already a hydrocele involved?
If so, would a doctor ever open up the testicle to take a close look if the ultrasound doesn't find anything but the patient insists that he feels a lump?

I'm asking this, because I have a hydrocele and the doctor said there is nothing cancerous showing up in the ultrasound. However, I have felt a hard lump on my testicle and the whole testicle is rock hard. I would like to know if my hydrocele makes it harder for the ultrasound to find the solid mass, and if they cannot find anything by ultrasound then what are my next options if I feel the lump?

Also, the lump is hard to feel through the hydrocele unless I have an erect penis (I don't know why) and that is why the doctor has a hard time feeling the lump.

[dadmo]

jstom:
A hydrocele should not be able to mask a solid tumor but ultrasounds can be read incorrectly. If you are unsure about the readings perhaps you should get a second opinion.

[Rune]

I'd agree that while ultrasounds are generally very accurate in detecting any tumors, a second opinion might be in order. Not so much because of the hydrocele, but mainly because you mention that the testicle is rock hard.

Are you in any pain and what did the doc say about the testicle being hard?

[jstom]

I'd agree that while ultrasounds are generally very accurate in detecting any tumors, a second opinion might be in order. Not so much because of the hydrocele, but mainly because you mention that the testicle is rock hard.

Are you in any pain and what did the doc say about the testicle being hard?

No pain. He just said that's not what he expected. However, they have an ultrasound of mine taken from 2 years ago, and this one is from last month. He called me and told me both look the same and there hasn't been any change. He is my general practitioner, but they should be just as good as reading ultrasounds as urologists are, correct?

[Rune]

Where did you get the ultrasound done? If it was at a hospital, I'm guessing a urologist or another doctor educated in reading the ultrasound at the hospital interpreted the results and relayed them to your doctor. He might then in turn have studied them if he is qualified.. but normally, I'd say urologists are better at interpreting ultrasounds. After all, it's within their area of expertise.

The reason I asked about pain is, that it could be a symptom of an infection, but pain would normally be a symptom of that. Did you doctor have a theory about what might be causing the hardness?