Partner experiencing similar symptoms in remaining testicle. Could it be TC again?

[sjwid]

Hi everyone,

Thank you so much for your warmth and support on this site. First post here, but my fiance and I have been visiting since his first diagnosis last year. This forum has been a source of strength for both of us.

History: My fiance (age 31--30 at onset) diagnosed with TC on left side July, 2014. Scheduled I/O five days later, and staging was: Type 1B pure seminoma, which surprised the hell out of both of us considering the lump was 5cm. Tumor markers only slightly elevated. He was given the option of surveillance or one round of chemo (carboplatin), and we decided to do the one round of chemo as a precaution. Went through the round August 12, 2014, one month after initial diagnosis. He has been in the all-clear ever since. Had follow up apt in Nov. 2014, and next one is this Feb.

Within the past month, he has noticed a dull ache in the right testicle with symptoms similar to the discomfort he felt pre-diagnosis. He didn't think anything of it at first, but recently noticed a lump similar in shape and hardness to left testicle. We are very concerned it could be a relapse, though seems unlikely this early on. But then again, TC is a rare cancer...and he got it.

If the lump/hardness is still there tomorrow, he will schedule an appt with his urologist. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I know that the dull ache/discomfort is more common and unlikely that it is not cancer, but what about hardness? Could that be anything else? Cyst, maybe? Anyone have any experience with hardness and it turning out not to be cancer?

Thank you all again so much. Will keep you posted.

[jmb5026]

First off... i completely understand that any change in the remaining testicle would freak you out, because of the hell you've been put through with the other TC diagnosis. I had a similar scare because i had a lump around the remaining testicle, but not attached. I immidietly had my uroligist check it out and he said not to worry about it because its not actually on the testicle. There are a number of things that can cause this that are not TC related. I heard something like only 4 out 100 lumps turn out to be TC.

I would definetly get to the uroligist and have them check it out. An ultrasound could easily rule out your worse fear. I would really just try my best not to worry, unless a doctor said otherwise.

Also, if it is something, you are well equipped to handle this considering your past.

I am constantly dealing with negative thoughts with this entire thing. The best way to address them is to punch them straight in the mouth by getting check out.

Please keep us posted... This is the BEST place to be with this crap.

- Jack

[Davepet]

Well a dull ache is rarely a symptom of TC, although some guys seem to feel pain shortly before a TC Dx. There are many possibilities that are not TC that can cause those symptoms, but best to have the doc check it out & be sure.

One other point: *IF* it turns out to be TC, it will be considered a second primary cancer, not a relapse.TC simply does not spread from one testicle to the other.

Please keep us posted as you learn more.

Dave

[sjwid]

Thank you both, Jack and Dave--really appreciate your input. Jack, I'm glad your situation turned out to be less concerning than you initially imagined. You're right. Once you've been hit with the big C, you begin to over analyze every little symptom. But, I think one of the positive things we learn to take away from cancer is to be more in tune with our bodies. And hey, that's definitely not a bad thing. And you're also right about being prepared to handle it now due to our history. I think dealing with this sort of thing makes each and every one of us stronger. My attitude now is that no matter what, we'll be okay. And as scary as all of this has been, I know we will be okay. All of us here will be. Thanks for your advice. We will definitely make an appt with the urologist this week. If nothing else, it will put our worries to rest...until the next alarming symptom arrives anyway, heh.

Dave, thanks for clarifying my confusion about the relapse. It's difficult thinking about how someone so healthy can dodge major health issues all of their life and then get hit with one of the most terrifying and deadly diseases. And then, you think you're done...you think you've paid your dues, but you get hit again. It's too bad that we're not all invincible like we thought.

I'll keep you guys posted, thank you again, and please take care.

[Talis]

Hi there,

Sorry to hear your story. Jack's right that the best thing right now is to get an ultrasound scan as soon as possible. Hopefully it will turn out to be benign, but if not it's better to know sooner rather than later! (Generally a firm mass within the body of the testis is cause for concern, I'm sorry to say, so do please go get it checked out.)

Best wishes,
- T

[Davepet]

. It's difficult thinking about how someone so healthy can dodge major health issues all of their life and then get hit with one of the most terrifying and deadly diseases.

TC does not care if you are healthy or not, it's an equal opportunity disease & unlike many other cancers, there is no action a guy can take to avoid it. Even the known risk factors are outside of our control & likely develop in the womb.

.And then, you think you're done...you think you've paid your dues, but you get hit again. It's too bad that we're not all invincible like we thought.

Well, getting it once increases the odds of getting it again, especially now that most guys actually survive the first one ( that wasn't the case when I had my first TC). I sincerely hope this is a cyst or something else benign, but I also hope he does not delay in getting it checked by his doc

Please let us know how it goes,
Dave