Worried about TC

**Justin198** · 04-24-12, 09:05 PM

For the past week my left testicle has been sore, there is a raised "ridge" on the bottom of the back of it. It is sort of firm but not rock hard and seems attached but kind of moves. I am worried about testicular cancer. The pain is not intense but a dull ache off and on. I thought maybe the ridge was my epyditimis but I dont really notice the same thing on the other testicle.

I have a physical with my GP June 1rst so I will mention it then but does this sound like cancer I'm worrying and keep feeling at it to see what it feels like sometimes I convince myself it is a vein other times it feels harder and more like a tumor is described. Also I think I may be causing it to be sore by examining it so much but it's really worrying me.

Some times the lump also feels larger than other times but them I wonder if I am just feeling it differently. It's got me very anxious.

**cbvance** · 04-24-12, 09:43 PM

TC can present in lots of ways, for me one testicle was larger and hard and painless when I squeezed it. Sounds like you may have something inflamed, but if you want to be sure have the GP prescribe an ultrasound or go to a urologist and have him take a look. No need to worry unnecessarily since there are tests that will confirm if its cancer or not. But don't ignore it because if detected early TC is very treatable.

**Justin198** · 04-24-12, 10:05 PM

The soonest i can see my GP is June 1, is that soon enough to be considered early detection?

**Davepet** · 04-24-12, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by Justin198

The soonest i can see my GP is June 1, is that soon enough to be considered early detection?

It is not ideal, but will probably be OK. Why so long? Did you tell them you had an abnormality in your testicle?

Dave

**Justin198** · 04-25-12, 01:21 AM

I just called to book the appointment the secretary said it would be a month. Do my symptoms sound like TC though? One other thing my urine has been relatively yellow lately I drink lots of water and my urine is usually clear but lately been dark.

When I manage to stop feeling the lump for a while the swelling goes down a bit but then gets worse when I examine it again. I have been looking at diagrams of testicles and the spot in question is right at the tail of the epididymis, but it doesnt feel anything like that on the other testicle.

**frank1980** · 04-25-12, 07:38 AM

My friend, don't forget that the symptoms that you are having are common to various pathologies and not only to testicular cancer. The first common pathology is the varicocele, that can be solved without problems. Or probably it could be an infection. I feel surprised that your visit will be after so long, if I were you, I would have moved into another direction and would have gone to another urologist. An ultrasound test and the blood markers will reveal you everything. More quickly you move, more quickly you wlll find the solution of this problem!

**Justin198** · 04-25-12, 03:15 PM

Hi Frank thanks for the advice, I live in a small town in Ontario, there is a urologist that works out of our hospital but he only visits once in a while and I am pretty sure I would need a reference from my GP to see him anyway.

**Jules** · 04-25-12, 06:02 PM

I don't think I'd wait until June, why don't you recall them and tell them your problems, if not I'd go somewhere else.

**john_ca** · 04-25-12, 07:19 PM

You live in Ontario, Canada? What town?

I'm in Ottawa and there's lots of specialists here. Don't wait until June. You could take a day off work and drive to Ottawa to visit a Apple Medical Tree walk-in clinic. A doctor will speak with you on the spot and provide a requisition form for ultrasound (which would likely be done same day). That's what happened to me. It's all free and covered under OHIP.

**Justin198** · 04-25-12, 08:51 PM

I live I'm parry sound, I am going to call tomorrow morning and try to get a earlier appointment. My family doctor also works out of a small nursing station once a week that is 30 mins away and I will try to see him there.

**Justin198** · 04-25-12, 09:26 PM

What about going to the emergency room at the hospital? I work nights so I could go first thing tomorrow morning and probably be seen early.

**cbvance** · 04-25-12, 10:26 PM

Unless your in a lot of pain I wouldn't go the the ER, just get your family doctor to check things, he can schedule an ultrasound and then you will know. Also, ask him if he can get tumor markers drawn, if not perhaps he can get a urologist appointment for you sooner than June 1.

**Justin198** · 04-25-12, 10:52 PM

Ok I can probably see my family doc next week

**Davepet** · 04-26-12, 01:50 AM

Originally Posted by Justin198

Ok I can probably see my family doc next week

How long would it take to get into you family gp if you had a 104 F (40C)fever? I was infuriated when I called my urologist & explained my symptoms & was told I needed to wait two weeks. I should have dropped him then & there & found another doc. You might want to consider that...

**Justin198** · 04-26-12, 02:31 AM

Unfortunately there is only one urologist in my town and like I said he only frequents once a month.. My family doc is pretty good usually like I said I will call to see if I can see him at the other clinic he works out of.

**Davepet** · 04-26-12, 02:42 AM

I'm sorry that I do not understand how your healthcare system works, but waiting over a month with a likely TC Dx is unacceptable where I live, my doc pushed the limits & I will never forgive him for that. I hope you have options to shorten the wait time.

Dave

**Justin198** · 04-26-12, 03:29 AM

My symptoms sound likely to be TC to you?

**john_ca** · 04-26-12, 08:46 AM

TC can't be diagnosed on symptoms alone. You need to get an ultrasound to rule out the possibility of cancer. See you doctor next week. If you can't then I would drive to the closet town with a walk-in clinic to get the ultrasound requisition.

**Davepet** · 04-26-12, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by john_ca

TC can't be diagnosed on symptoms alone. You need to get an ultrasound to rule out the possibility of cancer. See you doctor next week. If you can't then I would drive to the closet town with a walk-in clinic to get the ultrasound requisition.

Exactly. Anything abnormal should probably be treated with some urgency until proven to be something else. It's likely not TC, but if it is, sooner is better.

**Justin198** · 04-26-12, 03:54 PM

Well good news, I was able to push my appointment with my GP to next Tuesday

**Justin198** · 04-26-12, 04:32 PM

By the way I appreciate all the advice and help everyone here has given, good to know that whatever the outcome I have some support here. You all seem like great guys.

**Jules** · 04-26-12, 04:57 PM

Justin,

Push him for an ultrasound and the TC blood markers, don't let him fob you off, I was fobbed off, actually for over 20 years with a type of TC tumor.

Make a list of what you want to say, if he gets arrogant like I'm the DR, tell him you have been on a real TC forum and spoke to dozens of real TC patients and that you know what your talking about.

Best of luck, and don't let him make you wait weeks, it's your health not his.

**Justin198** · 04-26-12, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Jules

Justin,

Push him for an ultrasound and the TC blood markers, don't let him fob you off, I was fobbed off, actually for over 20 years with a type of TC tumor.

Make a list of what you want to say, if he gets arrogant like I'm the DR, tell him you have been on a real TC forum and spoke to dozens of real TC patients and that you know what your talking about.

Best of luck, and don't let him make you wait weeks, it's your health not his.

Nah, my family doctor isn't like that he will fulfill my requests. Did you cancer spread anywhere outside your testicles in that 20 years if you don't mind me asking?

**Jules** · 04-26-12, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by Justin198

Nah, my family doctor isn't like that he will fulfill my requests. Did you cancer spread anywhere outside your testicles in that 20 years if you don't mind me asking?

I was in a way lucky, although I use that word with great reserve, I had a diffentiated (mature) teratoma, which is very slow growing that it is almost benign, but they can turn very nasty.

Can you imagine if I had had a more classic TC and represented my self months later when it had started to spread. So far it looks like it has not gone anywhere, but it wasn't the norm, I feel very let down by that Dr I saw all those years ago.

**Justin198** · 04-26-12, 05:45 PM

I am glad to hear you are clear Jules

**cbvance** · 04-26-12, 09:03 PM

Good for you, I'm glad you got the appointment moved up. The GP should be able to order both the ultrasound and the blood markers then you can settle this matter. I messed around with my "swelling" for two months treating as an infection before I finally got the ultrasound. I had a swollen testicle 5 or 6 years ago and it was just an infection so I as hoping that was all it would be, of course once the ultrasound confirmed it was cancer I got in high gear and pushed for an IO ASAP.

Good luck with your dr visit.

**Justin198** · 04-27-12, 10:17 PM

Now I'm starting to freak out, the lump hurts to touch now and my lower back not far above my bum is really sore. Tuesday can't come soon enough, going to spend the weekend at the cottage relaxing and trying to keep my mind off the possibilities in the future.

**Justin198** · 05-01-12, 01:27 PM

Saw GP today, he said he has very little concern that what I have is TC however he is sending me for an ultrasound tomorrow and refered me to a urologist who I should be seeing within a few weeks

**cbvance** · 05-01-12, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by Justin198

Saw GP today, he said he has very little concern that what I have is TC however he is sending me for an ultrasound tomorrow and refered me to a urologist who I should be seeing within a few weeks

Never hurts to be over cautious. My CT Scan showed an enlarged external illiac node which the urologist said was nothing to worry about, but when I saw the onc today he says we gotta find out what that is. Scheduled PET for tomorrow and if that inconclusive we biopsy.

Its better to know, so you are doing the right thing to push for this.

**Justin198** · 05-01-12, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by cbvance

Never hurts to be over cautious. My CT Scan showed an enlarged external illiac node which the urologist said was noting to worry about, but when I saw the onc today he says we gotta find out what that is. Scheduled PET for tomorrow and if that inconclusive we biopsy.

Its better to know, so you are doing the right thing to push for this.

Best of luck to you man, I hope for the best!