Concerned about recurrence..

[cts]

Hello, I haven't posted in awhile but my story is that I was diagnosed with stage 1 seminoma in December of '05. I had the surgery, and a couple of weeks of radiation at that time. I had my 6 month checkup which consisted of exam, CT scan, chest X-ray and blood work and everything came back good. I had my 1 yr checkup about a month ago and had an exam, chest x-ray and blood work and everything is good.

Fast forward to today. This weekend I was doing my daily self exam and I noticed a small lump on my left testical kind of by the tube (don't know what it is called). It almost feels like a small piece of rice or a pimple. It feels nothing like when I had it on my right testical. That was a large, hard mass that was about a 1/4 of the size of my testical.

I called my doc this morning and I have an appointment for tomorrow but I'm worrying to death here. I'm sure some of you know that have had cancer its bad enough when every time you get an ache or pain you think its back but after finding this my heart felt like it was going to explode.

So what are chances that it came back in my remaining testicle? What other things could it be other than TC?

Thanks for reading.

[dadmo]

It sounds like you might have a simple cyst on the epididmus. You did the right thing contacting the doctor, after having cancer all lumps need a full investigation.

[cts]

So you can have a epidermal cyst on the testicle itself?

[dadmo]

No a cyst of the epididmus must be on some part of the tubing. I have a few questions. Is it on the testicle or where it's attached to the epididmus? Is the lump movable? Is it hard or soft?

[Scott]

The chances of a second cancer in your remaining testicle are somewhere in the range of 2-5%. It's good you're getting it checked, but it is more likely to be something other than cancer. Hang in there and keep us posted.

[cts]

No a cyst of the epididmus must be on some part of the tubing. I have a few questions. Is it on the testicle or where it's attached to the epididmus? Is the lump movable? Is it hard or soft?

It is on the testicle itself and it is somewhat hard. About the size of a 1/2 piece of rice, almost like a hard white head or pimple. Sometimes it feels like it moves around but it may just be the testicle itself rotating when I'm trying to locate it. It feels like it is very close to where the epididmus attaches but it is defiantly on the testicle itself.

Thanks for the replies.

[djmac]

It is on the testicle itself and it is somewhat hard. About the size of a 1/2 piece of rice, almost like a hard white head or pimple. Sometimes it feels like it moves around but it may just be the testicle itself rotating when I'm trying to locate it. It feels like it is very close to where the epididmus attaches but it is defiantly on the testicle itself.

Thanks for the replies.

I feel your pain... but don't worry until you have the US. I know it's hard, but try to relax, and definitely do read my anxious post (that I am about to post, I'll title it "Concerned: multiple symptoms"

[cts]

Well, I had my appointment today and the doctor said it was nothing. He referred to it as a "kernal" and that it not an uncommon thing to get. He said to continue with my self-exams and not to worry about it and that he'll see me in 6 months for my next checkup.

That puts my mind at ease but for some reason I'm still worrying about it a little. I guess just having a little bump makes me un-easy. I'm just going to have to trust the doctor and his years of experience on this one and calm down a little.

[Margaret]

Well, I had my appointment today and the doctor said it was nothing. He referred to it as a "kernal" and that it not an uncommon thing to get. He said to continue with my self-exams and not to worry about it and that he'll see me in 6 months for my next checkup.

That puts my mind at ease but for some reason I'm still worrying about it a little. I guess just having a little bump makes me un-easy. I'm just going to have to trust the doctor and his years of experience on this one and calm down a little.

CTS, this was a great message, I am so glad everything turned okay for you!!!!

Margaret

[cts]

Can someone explain exactly what a "kernal" is? My mind is still not 100% at ease over this.

[Scott]

Honestly, I have no idea what your doctor meant by that.

[huckchef]

did he do an ultrasound or just a physical exam? like scott said...i'm not sure what that means either! i would get a few more details. i would definitly do an ultrasound!!
brian