Before diagnosis

[swc]

Hi all,

I am 22 y/o from Australia. I noticed there is a lump on my left testicle on 20/5/19. After a week, I got my ultrasound done and the bad new strikes. It turned out there is a intratesticular mass with dimensions of 7mm x 6mm x 6mm with internal vascularity. I know that intratesticular masses with doppler colour on the ultrasound image means malignant cells. The ultrasound did not find enlarged lymph nodes in my abdomen area. The doctor had my lymph nodes in the neck checked and it seemed okay. I will be getting back my blood test report back and last ultrasound tomorrow to confirm for an orchiectomy .I am extremely worried if the cancerous cell has spread.

*Also, the lump is relatively painless when being touched. However after the ultrasound, the magnitude of the pain radiating from the left testicle is much more noticeable and lasted for few hours.

Question
Given the mass is relatively small and no enlarged lymph nodes on ultrasound (near lower abdomen), does it mean it is less likely that the cancer has spread?
(I know a CT scan and pathology report is the most accurate, but I am really worried.)

The ultrasound did not show invasion to the epididymitis, so is it localised or I cannot tell until I have the pathology report of orchiectomy?

I am sorry for having so much fear and I just could not take this off my mind.

[Davepet]

The indicators you mention are all good signs, but as you know, they are not conclusive.Take what you can get right now, waiting for answers is often the worst part of a cancer Dx, but wait you must. Keep us posted as you learn more.

Dave

[swc]

Hi Dave,

I just got my second ultrasound back. The tumor size did not change significantly measuring 6.2 x 6.8 x 6.2 mm(Radiologist said it might differ slightly as I done the two ultrasounds at different places). An additional cyst is observed in the left epididymitis as he said it is very rare for two tumors in one testicle. Also, I have been told that my tumor marker level from the blood test is normal or as he quote afterwards "actually quite low" and he is inconclusive if I need an orchiectomy. He is going to discussed with other specialists about my case and give me a call back.

Question
What does normal blood marker means? I know that non-seminoma elevates AFP and seminoma elevates bHCG (sometimes).
*I read from a website it says sometimes the tumor is so small that you cannot notice an elevation of these markers.

[Davepet]

Blood markers are really only useful when elevated, which indicates a stronger likelihood of TC, or going down , which indicates successful treatment. Not even ne type of TC 8always* elevates markers,it's pretty much hit 7 miss. The U/SS indicates a need for an I/O, period. The lack of markers is meaningless....

Ave