Suspecting I might have testicular cancer and have a few questions

[MrBread50]

So first of all, let me start out by saying that I haven't seen a doctor yet. However, based on my current symptoms I'm really starting to worry I might have cancer. I'm 20 years old, my left testicle is enlarged to about 4 or 5 cm and feels pretty solid. It has been that way for about a month now, but its painless and I wasn't experiencing the other symptoms so I figure I'd observe for a bit. In the last couple of days I've also started experiencing some soreness in my lower back and stomach which I know can also be one of the symptoms. At this point, with the size and other symptoms I'm preparing myself for the worst while hoping for the best. I got burned with several misdiagnoses from different doctors when I had mono back in January, so I'm wary to make sure I see the proper specialist and have all the proper info with something as serious as this before I see a doctor. So I just had a few questions:

1. What kind of doctor should I make an appointment with? I still see a pediatrician (which, frankly, I probably shouldn't at this point) but I feel like I need to go to someone more well versed in this area. Who would that be? Should I go to my usual doctor and have him recommend me somewhere? I just really don't want to go through the cycle of diagnoses I received the last time I had to go in for a medical problem.

2. How should I bring this up with my parents? I really don't want my parents to freak out, especially if it ends up being nothing. Money is also very tight in my family and we can't really afford medical bills. I just want to make sure I have all the information I can before I go to them. My hope was that maybe I could go to the doctor on my own and have them check me out without telling my parents, that way I could get the diagnosis and all the needed information before I tell them, but I'm not sure if this is a reality since I am under their insurance and I'm not sure if they would get notified. I really just don't want them to worry.

3. Is there anything else this could be? Based on my research it really seems like cancer but I'm not a medical expert by any measure so if anyone else has an opinion or any information that might help me going forward I appreciate it.

Thank you all so much. This website is really great. Even if it ends up not being an issue, the information and discussions here have greatly put my mind at ease and mentally prepared me for the worst. I will continue to update.

[eodtech2001]

The first step is to man up and just tell your parents exactly how you told us. Better yet print it out or ler them read your post.
The second thing and this should be done along with the 1 step is go to your GP and have them do an exam, order blood work and the US.
It should be striaght forward and you will have your answers with a day or so of seeing your GP
Or you are considered an adult at 20, but you still need your parents help regardless. I have a 26 yr old son and i would be pissed as hell if he did not come to me for advice or help. Just from the sounds of it you are close with your parents so i would suggest you tell them ASAP. Do not worry about money because you cant take it with you and once you figure out what is goimg on you can make more.

[Davepet]

Ideally, you should be seeing a urologist at this point for this issue. That said, depending on your insurance plan, you may need to be referred to one by your primary care doc. Some plans do not require that, some do. If you have your own insurance card, you can possibly see a uro without your folks knowledge, but they will be notified (often within days these days, if they are signed up with the insurance company website) about the visit, so probably best to just tell them there is a problem & you need to see a doc to get it checked out. I would just describe the issue without mentioning your concern about TC. They won't freak out as much as you think, in any event.

I'm bit perplexed about why you are seeing a pediatrician at age 20, I would think he would have referred you to another doc by now, you are a fully grown adult, not a child, after all. I don't know how that works,since I'm not a parent, & have no memory of ever seeing a pediatrician.

The one thing I want to emphasize is : Do NOT let this slide. Get your appointment made, however your insurance requires & do it ASAP. This may be nothing serious, but if it's TC, the sooner you get diagnosed & treated, the better the outcome & the less treatment you may need.

Get it done.

Dave

[MrBread50]

Thanks Dave. My doctor sees patients up to age 23, but I went to him back in January when I ended up having mono and he misdiagnosed me three separate times so I don't have a whole lot of faith in his ability to be my doctor going forward. I'll talk to my parents and see what kind of urologists we have here and what our insurance says, I appreciate the info.

[eodtech2001]

Mrbread50, i did not mean to come across so rough on you. That the old 1sgt in me coming out sometimes. I was merely just trying to lay it out for you and when it comes to your health there is no shame in asking your family for help. But you need to get this looked at asap and if your gp isnt the greatest there are other docs out and about. There have been a few guys on here who walked into an ER with the same concerns and issues you are having. From what i can remember 1 or 2 were not TC and 1 or 2 were TC. Just get over the first hurdle and everything else will work its self out.

[Junebug15]

In my experience if your GP does blood work make sure they test for the right markers. My boyfriend got misdiagnosed twice because the right markers weren’t tested and the ultra sounds came back inconclusive. The markers you want to test are HCG, AFP, and LDH. He was tested only for HCG in an ER room and we pretty much knew it was TC again. Like the other two gentlemen said, do not wait! We waited while we fought with his insurance company and, while we are at City of Hope and very thankful for it, I am not sure the battle with are going through now is worth it.

[Trekga]

So sorry you think you might have TC. Where are you located? If needed please tell your parent's and see about GP ordering an u/s & tumor markers ASAP.