Newbie

[MetrologyHam]

Hello All,
My Urologist suggested this website so here I am.

I am scheduled for a bilateral Orchiectomy. Why?
At 58 years old and multiple surgeries, I have chronic and severe testicular pain. Now after some tests, the doctors are scratching their heads because they found a solid mass inside my testicals (both).
I am not supposed to have TC at my age. It may be TC, it may be Sarcoidosis, who knows? It may be complications from the last 7 surgeries on the "Twins". Which were:
Vasectomy,
Vasovasostomy (reversal)
Vasectomy,
OOPS! another Vasectomy,
Varicosealectomy (bilateral),
Eppididomyectomy (bilateral),
Cystectomy (removal of a 5cm calcified cyst from RT)

I may or may not have TC, only the path report will determine, but I have most of the same issues, I hope I am welcome.


PS, I am looking for a TC fund to donate to, I can find lots of Breast Cancer but NO TC!!!

[dadmo]

You're certainly welcome here. I'm sorry about all your problems with the boys but it sounds like you will be better off without them. Your certainly on the older side of the age group that usually get's tc but it's not impossible. If you should have it the odds are it would be seminoma but with all of the past problems my guess would be you don't have cancer. You may want to take a look at the section of the forum that deals with testosterone challenges. Have you considered implants or are you going to stay with the streamline look?

My wife is a health and physical education teacher and she has received lot's of free hand outs and information about testicular cancer from the Jason A. Struble Memorial Cancer Fund. Cancer research on TC in particular is almost non-existant,with a cure rate over 90% everyone is now investing their time and money in cancers that are harder to cure.

[Already Bald]

Welcome Weatherman.
Your urologist was wise to send you here, it may be even wiser to go for a second opinion. The best of the best are here:

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

Best to you, I sure hope you do not have tc.

As for a tc related fund drive, there are many here involved in the Lance Armstrong Foundation...

Please let us know as things develop.

[dadmo]

MetrologyHam:
Well we're 2 for 2 getting you handle wrong.

[MetrologyHam]

Newbie

I have seen three Urologists regarding this problem, one in California and two in Illinois. One in Illinois said it was an STD and gave me antibiotics, the last listened, read my Hx, asked questions and ordered tests. He reluctantly agreed that it is best to play it safe.

The wife and I discussed having "decorations" and she would rather go streamlined rather than face further complications. With all I have been through, I feel like having the sack trimmed too, but that's not likely to happen.

Thanks for the welcome, it helps!

[dadmo]

With all the discomfort you've had I think the streamlined approach is a good idea.

[Fed]

Greetings,

After all the surgeries your boys have gone through, I wouldn't be surprised it some of the stuff they find is scar tissue. That being the case, it is possible that could cause the chronic pain. I certainly hope it isn't TC, and I'd be surprised if it were. Nonetheless, we're here to help anyway we can (even if it is by scratching our heads trying to figure out what's going on).

On the side, I do want to say that it's great we have been recommended as a resource by a doc! It's good to know that people are paying attention. As far as TC charities are concerned, the one that comes to mind is the Sean Kimmerling Testicular Cancer Foundation. They do plenty of charitable events, and their purpose is to raise awareness of the disease.

BTW, you're the first metrologist I know of. Out of curiosity, what kind of measurements do you study or work on?

[MetrologyHam]

Newbiw

The last overhaul took a lot of scar tissue out. It helped but is now worse. The Ultrasound indicated a solid mass inside each. The Doc shok his head and said, "If it wasn't for your age, I would immediately say TC. I just don't know." I have a history of Sarcoidosis (which I shouldn't have), I come up the oddest things.

Is this the forum to ask about dumb personal questions like,
Will I have more problems with the scrotum getting caught in the underware legband? (It is already an issue)

[dadmo]

We answer some of the most personal questions you could ever imagine. Ask anything you want. As for getting caught in you leg band (braggard) it won't happen, your scrotum will most likely atrophy a bit.

[TCLEFT]

Just a quick question. Before going through a bilateral I/O, would there be any advantage to doing one side (say with the larger of the masses) and getting path from that first? Considering your age, if it does come back benign you might have another option to consider, like a partial i/o to remove the other mass. I'm not sure if I'm right in my thinking but if the capsule has not been breached, the tunica vaginalis would contain a cancer within the testis for a little while before spread. Maybe long enough to find out what's going on. Of course if I'm way off no Doctor would consider this, but if it is an option, what could it hurt to ask?

[Fed]

Just a quick question. Before going through a bilateral I/O, would there be any advantage to doing one side (say with the larger of the masses) and getting path from that first? Considering your age, if it does come back benign you might have another option to consider, like a partial i/o to remove the other mass. I'm not sure if I'm right in my thinking but if the capsule has not been breached, the tunica vaginalis would contain a cancer within the testis for a little while before spread. Maybe long enough to find out what's going on. Of course if I'm way off no Doctor would consider this, but if it is an option, what could it hurt to ask?

This is a perfectly reasonable argument, and certainly one worth considering. If there is no breach of the capsule, there is little reason to believe any contralateral spread has occurred.

[Karen]

You've had some great suggestions from the guys and charities we like for TC and cancer in general...so I'll just welcome you and wish you well!

[MetrologyHam]

We discussed several options

Hi,
The Doc Wife and I discussed several options. The possibility of removing just one was also posed. The problem is that I have severe pain in BOTH sides. Maybe I should have a scrotal zipper installed.
My wife is tired of hearing me groan all night (literally).
I may sound crazy, but I am tired of experimentation.

[dadmo]

I can unerstand wanting the discomfort to end. All we can do is offer suggestions based on our experinces but most importantly you need to be comfortable with your choice. In this case you seem very well informed and accepting of the choice you have made, all I can say is go for it and we're here for you if you need us no matter what they find.