Elongated lump in testicle

[TB1]

Hello all. About a month ago, my doctor gave me a prescription for some antibiotics for what she thought was a bladder infection/UTI (although the urinalysis came back negative). About a week after I started them, while I was at work, (a fairly physically intensive job with a fair bit of lifting), I went to use the washroom, and had a sudden attack of the symptoms I'd originally gone to my doctor for (burning sensation in urethra, urgent need to urinate), as well as a sudden dull pain in my right testicle. In the couple of days after that, I noticed that the epididymis was enlarged and rather more tender than usual, which resulted in my getting a second prescription for a different antibiotic. (I'm actually now on a third, as the epididymis is still somewhat swollen, and I'm getting occasional aches in the region of the prostate.)
Here's the part I'm most concerned about. I noticed, in the few days after I found the swelling of my epididymis, that there's a fairly thick and long, vein-like ridge on my right testicle. The angle of it (on the "leg-side", running from the midpoint down towards the bottom of the testicle) makes it seem like a swollen tube that's running out of the epididymis into the testicle, but I can't tell if it starts as part of the epididymis, or just runs to a point underneath it (as the ridge is fully attached to the testicle). I can't be certain, but whatever this is, it seems to be somewhat longer now than it was when I noticed it a couple of weeks ago. In addition, my right testicle is physically smaller than it was a month ago. My doctor has told me I need an ultrasound, but her office hasn't even scheduled it yet.
Thoughts?

[Already Bald]

The Ultra Sound and blood work would be the next step, although I would push to get it on the schedule. Also, you shoud be seen by a urologist, specifically someone with TC experience.
Look at this link here:

http://tcrc.acor.org/experts.html

You may be fine, but get to an expert to rule out TC.

Best,

[dadmo]

TB1:
The testicle has lots of veins on it and it's most likely an inflamation of one of them. I would still like to see you get and ultrasound as soon as possible. The ridge that you feel is it soft or hard (soft = good news) and can you move it or is it firmly part of the testicle (movement = good news).

[TB1]

TB1:
The testicle has lots of veins on it and it's most likely an inflamation of one of them. I would still like to see you get and ultrasound as soon as possible. The ridge that you feel is it soft or hard (soft = good news) and can you move it or is it firmly part of the testicle (movement = good news).

Unpleasantly, it's immovable, and fairly solid.

[Fed]

It's also possible it could be a varicocele. All of these questions will be answered by the ultrasound.

[dadmo]

Don't assume testicular cancer but get that checked as soon as possible.

[TB1]

Well, after calling my doctor's office and prodding her nurse a bit, I have an ultrasound date, (or, rather, will), but it's over two weeks away. (The downside of the Canadian medical system - things can be slow.) I honestly don't want to wait that long, so I'm going to go to a hospital urgent care centre tomorrow and hopefully cajole them into an ultrasound. (The upside of the Canadian medical system - I can do this without having to pay.)

My question is this: given my experience over the past month or so, does this sound significantly like testicular cancer, or some other, less malignant unpleasantness? I ask because I'm supposed to be signing a lease soon in another city in order to move out for school, (I'm 20), but it would be rather unfortunate to do so and then find out that I'm in for months or years of treatment that would likely have to be in the city where I am currently residing.

Also, (just to respond to Fed's post), I was under the impression that varicoceles were exceedingly rare in the right testicle, due to the different structure of the veins.

[Karen]

Varicoceles on the right side are rare (2%),....but so is TC, and yet here we all are. Only a doc can diagnose you , so we can't speculate. My dear brother Fish and I are proponents of going to an urgent care facility complaining of extreme pain and getting the US done on the spot. Two weeks for an ultrasound, and if it is a solid mass then another few weeks to get surgery scheduled all add up to far too long a time to wait, in my opinion. Let us know what the results are.

[TB1]

http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/jpeg1/MALE130.jpg

Out of curiosity, does anyone know what the orangish layer on the testicle near the base of the epididymis is? (in the bottom right of the image.) The ridge that I can feel seems to be close to the edge of that orange layer.

[TB1]

Well, I've finally received the results of my ultrasound - there's a cyst of some sort, but there's no cancer. (I'll get more details in my appointment on Friday.) I'll be honest, the past couple of months have been quite stressful, and I can't imagine what it must be like for someone to actually be diagnosed with cancer. I'm a student, and short on money, but I can always donate some time - does anyone know of a cancer support organization or relevant charity that has a presence in SW Ontario, that could make use of some volunteer assistance?

[fuse929]

Great news on the all clear man! The waiting is the worst, but you got awesome news in return. If you go to the LIVESTRONG website I'm sure you can find lots of way to get involved in the community. Relay for Life is a great and fairly well-spread event to get your foot in the door.

[veryworriedmom]

Tb1

I Dont know exactly what city your in but the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto is the gold standard for cancer care. If your near there they could always use help, volunteers etc, most cities in Ontario have some sort of Palliative care for those diagnosed in end stages. There is a huge need for volunteers in any of those centers, anything you can do to give to the cancer community will always be appreciated. If you have a specific location you want to help out in let me know I am familiar with the area. VWM

[TB1]

I Dont know exactly what city your in but the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto is the gold standard for cancer care. If your near there they could always use help, volunteers etc, most cities in Ontario have some sort of Palliative care for those diagnosed in end stages. There is a huge need for volunteers in any of those centers, anything you can do to give to the cancer community will always be appreciated. If you have a specific location you want to help out in let me know I am familiar with the area. VWM

I'm in Kitchener-Waterloo, but I'd also be willing to travel to Guelph/Stratford/London if necessary.