dreaded lump

[dcron]

I am glad to have found this site and thank those who have shared their experiences. I am 37 years old and had a physical the other day. Unfortunately, the doctor found a lump on my left testicle (Yes, I should've been doing self-exams all along!!). It is roughly 3-4mm and located on the side of the testicle. I am scheduled to have a sonogram done in a couple of weeks. Wish it could be sooner, but I did have bloodwork done (no results yet). Is it unusual for a cyst (as opposed to a mass) to form on the side (medial) of the testicle? It would seem that cysts are more common on the epididymis. Anyway, I'm just educating and preparing myself. Thanks!

[Fed]

Hey dude,
Welcome to the Forum. My guess is that for pretty much any kind of growth (cysts, tumors, etc.), the entire testis is fair game. Some people feel lumps that are on the surface (i.e. the dreaded "pea-shaped" lump), but in some cases, the lumps are embedded in the middle of the testicle in which case one would likely feel nothing. In any event, it's great that you have taken the initiative to get a thorough check-up on this despite not having performed regular self exams. Let's hope it's not TC, but if for some reason it is suspected, we're here to help with the subsequent steps in the diagnosis. Take care and good luck,

[dcron]

Thanks!

Fred,

Thanks for being such an active part of this forum. I appreciate the support and certainly hope that any TC diagnosis will eventually yield the success that you have had. I will continue to post as I find out more.

Ron

[fuse929]

dcron,

For your own peace of mind, see if they can move the ultrasound up a few days (or hopefully weeks). TC is very rare, so there is a good chance you have nothing to worry about, but the days to weeks of worry pre-ultrasound can get to be a bit much. If it is the worst, the earlier you catch it the better off you will be. Doctors can be persuaded to move testing dates up if you are persistent.

Bobby

[Margaret]

I am glad to have found this site and thank those who have shared their experiences. I am 37 years old and had a physical the other day. Unfortunately, the doctor found a lump on my left testicle (Yes, I should've been doing self-exams all along!!). It is roughly 3-4mm and located on the side of the testicle. I am scheduled to have a sonogram done in a couple of weeks. Wish it could be sooner, but I did have bloodwork done (no results yet). Is it unusual for a cyst (as opposed to a mass) to form on the side (medial) of the testicle? It would seem that cysts are more common on the epididymis. Anyway, I'm just educating and preparing myself. Thanks!

Thinking of you Dcron and hoping you get good news.

[dcron]

Thanks for the support, Bobby and Margaret. You couldn't be more correct that the pre-sonogram worry is the worst, regardless of the potential results, and one can't decide if he's losing precious time or worrying unnecessarily. I can apparently call the doctor personally Fri. AM and ask if the appt can be moved up. And I can sympathize with the posting today from the bride-to-be...I'm getting married in November!

[Margaret]

Thanks for the support, Bobby and Margaret. You couldn't be more correct that the pre-sonogram worry is the worst, regardless of the potential results, and one can't decide if he's losing precious time or worrying unnecessarily. I can apparently call the doctor personally Fri. AM and ask if the appt can be moved up. And I can sympathize with the posting today from the bride-to-be...I'm getting married in November!

Keep pushing for the appt to get moved up, that way you have less time to have the anxiety. I really hope all goes well.

[bbbride]

dcron--my fiance made another phone call to his doctor today (at my persistance) and now his ultrasound is scheduled for tomorrow. at least that will be out of the way before the ceremony so we can attend to it again once we are back in a week. best of luck to you, and hopeful wishes!!

[dcron]

Good job, bbbride! I hope to have the same luck with my doctor tomorrow--and thanks to Margaret for spurring us on! My doc had said, "It's probably just a cyst", and didn't push for an immediate sonogram at my appt on Tues, but how can we really be sure? Obviously, I hope to report that his intuition was correct....sooner rather than later.

Best wishes to you and your fiance, bbbride!

[Fed]

If calling your doc doesn't work out, go to the ER. Usually they'll make you wait for hours, but if you go and tell them that you have testicular pain, they'll move you to the front of the line (if not, at least they'll get you closer).

[dcron]

As Fed seemed to anticipate, no luck in getting the appt moved up. My guess is that my doctor thinks about it analytically (what difference is one more week going to make and TC is statistically rare) while I think of it emotionally (what will happen to me if it's cancer and how it will affect my life?). I'm not sure I have the conviction to make a run to the ER, but if I find that I can't sleep, it's comforting to know that I have that option. Thanks and I will let you know my sonogram results.

[Fed]

My guess is that my doctor thinks about it analytically (what difference is one more week going to make and TC is statistically rare) [...] .

The rarity of TC is a poor excuse (to put it mildly) for delaying any examination that could yield a potential diagnosis. Since you have stated that this might be taxing on your mental well-being, I would find another doc or go to the ER.

(Sorry if I sound harsh; I just find it very irritating when docs can be dismissive of the -most of the times- valid concerns of their patients).

[dcron]

Fed, thanks again for the urging and don't worry about sounding harsh...I appreciate your passion. For now, I'm going to enjoy the weekend and not worry (too much about the lump. It really is mind over matter and accept that there's nothing that can be done immediately. From what I've read, if I'm diagnosed, there is much more anxious waiting to come...for results, surgeries, appointments, etc., but we'll hope for the best. Hope all who I now know on this board have a great weekend!

[dcron]

This board really is amazing....what tremendous support. I was able to get an appt this Wed. (instead of next Tues.) at a different location with the same radiology company, so that's a start. Thanks again to those who encouraged me (Fed, Magaret, Bobby) to take matters into my own hands! You guys are all so right...the waiting is the hardest part. Even if I am diagnosed with TC, I can finally start moving forward.

Ron

[Margaret]

Ron, GOOD FOR YOU!!! Gosh it burns me up when I hear that it can't be TC because it is so rare. I bet he would not be saying that if his son had a lump. Let's hope it is not TC but better to know sooner than later...if it is something to deal with...let's start tackling it, if it is not anything, then the sooner you get to celebrate.

m