Primary care of urologist?

[Sans rt1]

I agree with the others, you should get it checked as soon as possible. Not sure if this helps, but sometimes your GP can get you into a specialist much quicker than you can by calling yourself.

When I was checked, it was by my GP, and he called to get me right in for an ultrasound, then had the images sent directly to himself and a local urologist that he has referred patients to in the past. The urologist immediately made a spot in his schedule to examine me. Yes, I sat in his waiting room for an hour, but was only in his office for 10 minutes and left with paperwork for the CT, bloodwork, and surgery, while his office staff made the calls to get me scheduled for surgery and insurance approval.

I have no idea if this is typical, but my GP did an outstanding job of making things happen (on a Friday before a holiday weekend).

[Margaret]

Agreeing with Bobby, my husband also had no pain at all. In fact, our urologist said that 'pain is a good sign'...I am not sure what that meant, but when he was checking Boyce out he said "Any pain?", Boyce said, "no" and the doctor said "Hmmm, that would have been a good sign".

Keep in mind, everyone is different. Some here have had lumps, some small, some large...some had a hard testicle, some have had swelling, some have not...when I looked on line when Boyce and I noticed his testicle was hard, I saw all this information on line about "pea sized" bumps. Well he did not have a pea sized bumps so I thought that it was not cancer. When I found this forum, I realized that everyone was different, I only wish I had found this site sooner. I spent many lonely/worried days desperate for someone to talk to.

Anyway...back on to the question about the ER...My gut says to go. 5 days is a long time to wait not only because of your physical concerns, but mentally I would worry about the stress that waiting could cause you. At the ER, they will give you a full exam and also do an ultrsound. In fact, I would request an exam, ultrsound and blood work. just in case you get in there with some ER doc that says..."hmmmm not sure what that is, you should make an appt. with your primary care doctor". That is unacceptable. That happened to someone we know and I wish they had pushed for more tests.

Sorry to be long winded Let us know how you are.

M.

[fuse929]

In many cases, there is no pain associated with a testicular tumor. Mine was completely painless, even when it grew to be over 1 cm in diameter. The more info you are posting the more suspicious I'm getting that you need to get checked out ASAP, as dadmo said. Knowing what I know now, there is no way I would personally wait a week to get checked.

Bobby

[dadmo]

It's quite possible that you also have a cyst which may be making the lump appear larger then it is. It still needs to be checked ASAP.

[jnickerson]

Before I continue I want to thank you all for the quick, thoughtful responses –you provide such a great service – it’s really quite heartwarming.

Aside from the lump, which is somewhat tender when squeezed, nothing more than the usual pain associated with a testicle exam, there is no pain –the testicle feels normal, no more or less dense or soft than the other. There is a largish, what I imagine to be, cyst, right up against it, and the lump feels somewhat smaller when it is moved aside.

[Fed]

I'm joining the thread late, but at the right time. I was diagnosed in the ER after having spoken with my GP. It was the day before Thanksgiving, and all of the docs had already skipped town, hence the ER was my only choice (otherwise, I would have had to wait at least 5 days before anyone could see me). When I checked in and said that I was there because of testicular pain, they pretty much put me at the front of the line, and I was having an ultrasound done within two hours. Be very detailed on your symptoms when you get triaged. You will likely be seen first by a PA, who will do the first exam (you will be manhandled a lot) and likely order the ultrasound. If the mass is indeed solid and cancer is suspected, then a urology consult will be requested. In the event they do suspect cancer, request that they do a blood draw for tumor markers and possibly a pelvic/abdominal CT and chest X-ray on site, just so you have all that out of the way.

One thing, how does the rest of the affected testis feel like? Hard, soft, painful, larger, smaller?

[dadmo]

You will probably see the emergency room doctor who will schedule you for an ultrasound. That should get the ball rolling.

[jnickerson]

Ah – I didn’t think of that – good advice. Now, what is the likelihood that I would see a urologist vs. an emergency room nurse or doctor? (That’s probably not a fair question, there’s really no way for you to know.)

[dadmo]

You wouldn't be the first person to go to the emergency room complaining of testicular pain. It may not be anything but the sooner it's looked at the better.

[jnickerson]

J:
These are not good signs. It may be a benign tumor but I would get to a doctor yesterday. Don't let your primary put off an ultrasound by telling you it's just an infection. This thing needs to be examined now.

Thank you, I appreciate the frank and prompt advice. I just called and made an appointment for next Thursday, the soonest they could get me into the office. Does anyone have any tips for getting an “emergency” visit? Is a week too long to wait?

I just checked it again, and at times, it feels as though it is moving – but of course, I am not taking any chances.

[dadmo]

J:
These are not good signs. It may be a benign tumor but I would get to a doctor yesterday. Don't let your primary put off an ultrasound by telling you it's just an infection. This thing needs to be examined now.

[jnickerson]

J:
Any mass protruding from the testicle must be examined and your best bet would be to have a urologist do the exam. Does the mass feel as if it part of the testicle? Can it be moved?

It’s more of a somewhat hard mass – I’m familiar with cysts – they’re typically round, unattached and movable – some of them are very close to the testicle, but they can still be moved.

The lump is definitely attached, I cannot “pinch” it away from the testicle – it feels more like the testicle is elongated, the longer part being very firm – it moves a little, but it is firmly attached.

I should add that the left testicle does not have a similiar protrusion.

[fuse929]

I agree with Margaret that a urologist is always the way to go with issues down there. Family doctors may be able to make a diagnosis, but in the time it takes them to make a referral to a urologist something bad can possible happen. I'm not comfortable waiting around with I have symptoms of anything.

Bobby

[dadmo]

J:
Any mass protruding from the testicle must be examined and your best bet would be to have a urologist do the exam. Does the mass feel as if it part of the testicle? Can it be moved?

[Margaret]

I will be saying prayers for you and your family for a quick "all clear" from the doctor.