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I already posted an introduction under the Ball Room, but I figured that this question is more on topic for this section.
I have read conflicting reports about light spots/versus dark spots on an ultrasound. Some say that dark spots are to be viewed with suspicion, and also that cancer appears as a white spot.
Here's my situation:
1) Lump on left testis that is pretty noticeable --although not visually. No pain, but even if i was not looking for it, it's pretty hard to miss. A bit larger than a pea. It feels pretty hard and it doesn't move -- and quite honestly I'm afraid to try to manipulate it. I would think that if it was there 3 months ago, i would have encountered it between now and then -- unless is was much smaller.
Also, my left side is probably slightly less than half the size of my right (although this growth brings it to slightly above half the size, now). My doctor says that there might have been some blood vessel damage or trauma when I was younger. For this reason, he thinks the right side would be fine cranking out what my body needs, because it basically is already picking up the slack.
2) Doctor says the ultrasound shows a dark spot (interestingly, he never used the term "lump" or "cyst" although there is definitely a growth of some sort there.
Some have said a dark spot is potentially good news, and others say it is bad news. For instance, my father in law had a dark spot and he says it was cancer.
3) Doctor also says i have microlitiasis in the left testis. So, even if this is not cancer, some sites seem to place the odds of this turning to TC at 40%. He also said, though, that the calcium can be a result of whatever trauma caused the abnormality to the left testis.
#3 makes me think that since the odds are so high, it's fairly likely that this can be TC, and even if it's not, I think I would have the orchiectomy to prevent it from turning to cancer (cancer runs like crazy in my family, and I always knew that I would have to keep an eye out because of this).
So, what do you think about the conflicting views about dark spots? Also, how quickly can TC progress from Stage I to Stage II or III?
Sorry to have so many questions. I just had my blood taken today (also dropped off a semen specimen), and will hear back next week.
Oh yeah, one more question. Has anybody ever talked to a counselor or psychologist when they were diagnosed? I am thinking about this not only from the body image perspective, but also from the stress management perspective. I have worn down my resistance in past situations due to stress, and I want to try to minimize stress so that I am as strong as I can be to do whatever I may need to do.
Thanks!
Jason
I have read conflicting reports about light spots/versus dark spots on an ultrasound. Some say that dark spots are to be viewed with suspicion, and also that cancer appears as a white spot.
Here's my situation:
1) Lump on left testis that is pretty noticeable --although not visually. No pain, but even if i was not looking for it, it's pretty hard to miss. A bit larger than a pea. It feels pretty hard and it doesn't move -- and quite honestly I'm afraid to try to manipulate it. I would think that if it was there 3 months ago, i would have encountered it between now and then -- unless is was much smaller.
Also, my left side is probably slightly less than half the size of my right (although this growth brings it to slightly above half the size, now). My doctor says that there might have been some blood vessel damage or trauma when I was younger. For this reason, he thinks the right side would be fine cranking out what my body needs, because it basically is already picking up the slack.
2) Doctor says the ultrasound shows a dark spot (interestingly, he never used the term "lump" or "cyst" although there is definitely a growth of some sort there.
Some have said a dark spot is potentially good news, and others say it is bad news. For instance, my father in law had a dark spot and he says it was cancer.
3) Doctor also says i have microlitiasis in the left testis. So, even if this is not cancer, some sites seem to place the odds of this turning to TC at 40%. He also said, though, that the calcium can be a result of whatever trauma caused the abnormality to the left testis.
#3 makes me think that since the odds are so high, it's fairly likely that this can be TC, and even if it's not, I think I would have the orchiectomy to prevent it from turning to cancer (cancer runs like crazy in my family, and I always knew that I would have to keep an eye out because of this).
So, what do you think about the conflicting views about dark spots? Also, how quickly can TC progress from Stage I to Stage II or III?
Sorry to have so many questions. I just had my blood taken today (also dropped off a semen specimen), and will hear back next week.
Oh yeah, one more question. Has anybody ever talked to a counselor or psychologist when they were diagnosed? I am thinking about this not only from the body image perspective, but also from the stress management perspective. I have worn down my resistance in past situations due to stress, and I want to try to minimize stress so that I am as strong as I can be to do whatever I may need to do.
Thanks!
Jason
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