first post; concerned spouse

[snowleopard]

Hi all,
Cruised around here awhile, and realized that all the embarrassing questions have already been asked at least once. Right? (Work with me on this one, folks--looking for a little reassurance here.)

So:

My husband has had a few firm lumps on his testicles for about three years. He got it checked out (ultrasound) a few years ago and was told it was nothing to worry about; I don't remember what they said, but I think it may have been diagnosed as fatty tissue. One of the lumps has grown substantially since then, so that it is now larger than the testicle to which it is attached. The lump is getting more firm, and I am getting way tired of playing amateur urologist.

DH has ignored my requests to get this checked out, and last night came up with a new twist: blood in his ejaculate. (This is when I play the little mind movie where this post gets lost and ends up on a cake recipe forum.) I did a little checking around, and normally that is supposed to be a not-to-worry symptom, but I haven't seen anything about that symptom in combination with the lumps.

Anyway, I am wondering if this a) having once been diagnosed as benign, probably is just a larger, harder benign lump now; b) is something that he oughta get checked out at his next annual (yeah right) checkup; or if this is a c) a classic example of some fool using up his golden chance to make a difference in his outcome.

I realize the get-it-checked-out disclaimer always is the smart response, but I'm also looking for a sense of where on the disclaimer spectrum this falls.

Thanks, y'all.
Kathleen

[Teri]

Hey, Kathleen,

Hmmm, not sure how blood in the ejaculate fits into the scheme of TC (it isn't a usual symptim of TC), but on the other hand, it can't be a good thing. And ANY large (or small) lumps on the testicle need to be checked out, preferably with an ultrasound.

I feel your pain, it took almost a year (and an ER visit) before I could get my significant other in for the ultrasound.

In spite of the fact that the lumps(s) has been "once diagnosed" as benign, mistakes have been known to happen. Regardless of any prior diagnosis, it should be checked again.

Whatever it is, it does not sound normal. Another good source of info is the Testicular Cancer Resource Center (TCRC).

BTW, I am moving this thread to the "Do I Have TC" Forum, where it may be helpful to someone else.