Do I get another scan?

[speedlink]

I've had a certain anxiety about getting TC for many years now. I'm 21 years old.

About 18 months ago, I convinced myself my right testicle felt harder and firmer than usual. I went to my doctor, he said everything felt fine but I got an Ultrasound scan anyway.

Oddly enough, the right testicles turned out absolutely fine and totally healthy however it was the left testicle that had a problem. (Didn't suspect anything wrong with it)

After my first ultrasound, I was told their was an abnormality and that my doctor would be in touch. I had an urgent refferal to my urologist and he explained their was a shadow across the testicle but he wasn't fully sure of what it was.

Tumor marker tests were ordered on that day, got the results 2-3 weeks later and they were in normal levels.

I had another scan with a more advanced/experienced technician 2-3 weeks after my first scan.

He to was seeing the abnormality but assured me he didn't THINK it was anything related to cancer. Their was a lack of blood flow going to the testicle.

I later saw a different uroligist and he said the testicle had an area of damage across it along with a lack of blood flow to a part of it.

I thought it was strange because to my knowledge, I HAD NEVER had anything happen to the testicle bad enough for it to get damaged. So I always found that part weird.

My urologist again assured me and said their would be a follow up scan 3 months after that just to check for any changes.

I went for the scan, their were no changes within the 3 month period and I was discharged. A month or so later I received a letter in the mail from my urologist saying my case was bought up at a meeting and the consensus was no further action or investigation needed to take place and that was the end of that.

Now ever since I can remember, I've always had a rice shaped lump at the very top of the left testicle, it's next to or on the actual epididymis but it's hard to tell. The doctors/urologist had a hard time feeling it though.

Now my question is, 14 months have passed since my last scan, do you think it'd be wise to get another scan done? I must admit it has been on my mind lately incase they missed something but I can't say I've noticed any changes. The small lump that's always been there though - I have been wondering if it has grown at all but I think this just could be my anxious mind.

Thanks

[Luc]

It doesn't hurt to get it checked out, but I don't think you have much to worry about. An ultrasound is really good at detecting solid masses, and it appears you don't have any. If the lump has always been there and hasn't changed, it's not cancer. Cancer doesn't sit around for 14+ months. However, if it changes in any way, you should have it checked. You can have it checked to put your mind at ease too and find out exactly what that lump is.

[speedlink]

It doesn't hurt to get it checked out, but I don't think you have much to worry about. An ultrasound is really good at detecting solid masses, and it appears you don't have any. If the lump has always been there and hasn't changed, it's not cancer. Cancer doesn't sit around for 14+ months. However, if it changes in any way, you should have it checked. You can have it checked to put your mind at ease too and find out exactly what that lump is.

Thanks for getting back to me.

I think the main thing that worrys me if that they said their was an area of damage on the testicle although I am just totally baffled as to my testicle got damaged. But I guess it could just be one of those things?

Also, I felt a ridge like structure on the testicle, but this has also been present for a LONG time, even before I had the scans. I did bring it up to the Urologist but he just told me not to worry. (He was conscious that I had anxiety issues).

My new worry is if the lump I've always has had recently started to grow. When I feel it I ask myself weather it has grown or not because I don't remember how it used to feel all that time ago.

On my other testicle, I do have a similar object in the EXACT SAME location (Top of the testicle, VERY NEAR to the epididymis.) However, on the other testicle it isn't so much as a lump, it's something very small and squigy, almost fluid filled, but it does have a 'bump' feel to it when I roll my fingers over it.

I think the harder lump I'm feeling on my left testicle (The one that's already damaged) could actually be the appendix testis as displayed in the picture below, because it is more or less in the exact same place as I feel it.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...d/Gray1148.png

I do need my mind put at rest though so I'll be seeing my GP next week, I just am worrying this time around they will suggest surgery or something. I don't know why I think this... Just worried.

Thanks

[Luc]

Yes, by all means have it checked. It's natural to worry as you don't know what this is. I'm betting you won't need surgery. Some tumors (non-seminoma) grow quickly, it can double in size in a month. Others (seminoma) grow slower, but noticeably within 4 weeks, and an ultrasound is able to detect this. If it's not growing, you don't need surgery.

The only way to know is to have it checked. Keep us posted.

[speedlink]

I have started to worry about the 'ridge' I feel on the testicle more lately aswell, although I have noticed it for 2 years and had it for probably much longer. The other testicle is perfectly smooth with no ridges.

I don't know if it could be part of the epididymis, although the ridge I feel is present on the bottom of the actual body of the testicle and runs across the width of the testicle... But as said it's been there for ages so it's probably nothing bad?

Thanks

[cbvance]

There is really only one way to know for sure, get an ultrasound done. That will tell the urologist a lot about the testicles and how they are working. Also they can run some blood tests that show if certain types of testicular cancer is in your body any where.

But guessing is only going to create more anxiety. Get them checked.

[Luc]

I can't say if it's bad, but it's doesn't look like cancer. Cancer doesn't sit there for 2+ years and anything would have been flagged at your last scan 18 months ago. I had a tumor that my doctor and I knew about for 2 years. It was benign; I probably had it for the last 10 years. My urologist has never seen cancer sit there for 2 years.

It's unlikely you'll need surgery. Surgery is required to remove a tumor or from major trauma, like uncontrolled bleeding from being hit by a baseball. You don't have either of those. Now go get it checked so you can stop worrying

[speedlink]

Thanks for the replys guys. I'll be going to see my GP next week which will hopefully get an ultrasound scan scheduled.

Just wondering if anyone can answer this in the mean time...

If a testicle is damaged, will it repair its self over time or will it always remain damaged?

[speedlink]

Does anyone know the answer to weather a testicle can repair its self or when it's damaged it will remain damaged always?

Thanks

[Davepet]

Does anyone know the answer to weather a testicle can repair its self or when it's damaged it will remain damaged always?

Thanks

Most body p[arts can repair damage, no reason to think the testicle would be different, might depend on the extent of the damage, though. For example, even fairly serious cuts to a finger will heal, but if you cut the finger off, well, it's not gonna grow back.

That said, I do not know for certain about how well the testicle is able to repair itself.

Dave

[speedlink]

Most body p[arts can repair damage, no reason to think the testicle would be different, might depend on the extent of the damage, though. For example, even fairly serious cuts to a finger will heal, but if you cut the finger off, well, it's not gonna grow back.

That said, I do not know for certain about how well the testicle is able to repair itself.

Dave

Thanks for the reply. I'm asking because I'm just wondering if my scan on the left testicle will always show the area of damage from now on when having an ultrasound scan.

I'm planning on seeing my GP sometime this week for a refferal as I've started to freakout about the lump that has always been present on the left testicle (the one thats got damage on it) for many years however over the past few months I have started to think it feels different but this could be my own anxiety,

Can a lump go from being fine to 'not fine'?

I think it might be the testicular appendage of some sort because it feels like it's either IN or really really close to the epididymis. It's right at the top of the testicle.

Thanks

[Davepet]

You might be feeling scar tissue from the injury site. From your description, you might also be feeling the epididymis.

This is the biggest reason for monthly exams, so you can get to know what normal feels like so you can detect any changes if they happen. It's when something changes that you need to be concerned.

Dave

[speedlink]

You might be feeling scar tissue from the injury site. From your description, you might also be feeling the epididymis.

This is the biggest reason for monthly exams, so you can get to know what normal feels like so you can detect any changes if they happen. It's when something changes that you need to be concerned.

Dave

Thanks for getting back to me. The epididymis shouldn't have any lumps though should it? This thing I'm feeling is quite hard and I'd say it was about half the size of a grain of rice. As I say I've noticed it for many years however I don't remember how big it has been and weather it has grown or not. Something tells me it feels different but I do have a health anxiety problem and I have a tendancy to freak out about things like this.

I also have something similar on the other testicle and in the EXACT same place, however it doesn't feel the same. The one on my other testicle is rather soft and isn't anywhere near as hard.

If I look at this below image
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...d/Gray1148.png
, the hard lump I'm describing seems like it's in the exact same position as the one labeled 'appendix of testis'. Maybe I could be feeling this?

[Luc]

Your anxiety is causing more problems than the lump is. As mentioned, TC doesn't stick around that long. Your last scan indicated that everything is benign. Lumps and bumps in the epididymis are common and can be cysts, scar tissue, etc.

Can a lump go from being fine to 'not fine'?

Benign lumps are just that: benign. They don't turn into cancer.

but I do have a health anxiety problem and I have a tendancy to freak out about things like this.

This statement indicates your worries are psychological rather than anything physical. Have your exam ASAP so you can put your mind at ease.

[speedlink]

Thanks, I have an appointment to see my GP on Tuesday.

So after having a scan 3 months after the initial scans and nothing changed then, it's unlikely it'll never change into something bad at all?

Is it wrong for them to discharge me after a 3 month scan? Should I have been having them done every 6 months?

Thanks

[Luc]

Scars may heal and cysts may change but they do not turn into cancer. From your description, your condition sounds common and you do no need regulars scans. But it's up to you to know what's happening to your body. That's where monthly self exams come in. Do them monthly, no more no less. Any more and you'll constantly worry yourself. Consult a doctor if you notice anything new, or any major changes (just like you're doing now). From your description, I'm betting you'll be fine

[speedlink]

Scars may heal and cysts may change but they do not turn into cancer. From your description, your condition sounds common and you do no need regulars scans. But it's up to you to know what's happening to your body. That's where monthly self exams come in. Do them monthly, no more no less. Any more and you'll constantly worry yourself. Consult a doctor if you notice anything new, or any major changes (just like you're doing now). From your description, I'm betting you'll be fine

Thank you, looking forward to hopefully having my mind put at rest again. I really am worried if the lump I've always felt has changed though.

I remember the technician saying that a part of my testicle didn't have a blood flow. I assume when your testicle gets damaged blood flow stays cut off in some cases?

Thanks

[speedlink]

I just got back from seeing my GP. He examined my testicles and right away found the lump on my left testicle.

He also said right away that it was harmless... He confirmed that he thought it was the appendix testis. He said having another ultrasound scan would be a complete waste of time, he told me to stop worrying and just enjoy life.

Should this be enough reassurance?