50/50?

[inet]

50/50 is the odds I'm giving myself right now of having testicular cancer. I have an ultrasound scheduled for Friday and then a follow-up with my urologist next Tuesday. I haven't felt good for a few months so I went to a hematologist/oncologist to get checked out. I've previously had some small bleeding ulcers in my duodenum and low iron but not anemic. I've received some IV iron before that helped me feel a little better when I was getting run down and thought my iron might be getting low again so that's why I went to the doctor. He checked me out and looked over my past tests and lab results. During the physical exam he found a small hard nodule on the bottom of my right testicle. He ordered some labs and had me schedule an ultrasound.

The doc was going to be on vacation for the next couple of weeks and the soonest the ultrasound could be scheduled was a couple of weeks from now as well. So, I went to go see a urologist right away. He also felt the nodule and ordered the tumor marker labs and ultrasound. I have the ultrasound scheduled for the end of this week. Also, he said there was blood in my urine. I didn't see anything so they must have tested it somehow. I asked him about the blood in my urine and he said first thing first is to get the ultrasound and we will talk about it later. I took it upon myself to get the lab results today. AFP 4.3 (range 0-8), HCG <1, and LDH 200 (to of range is 225). All normal even though the LDH is at the top of the range.

Here's everything else I know that may or may not matter.

-I am 38 years old.
-LDH 3 years ago was 147 and 153 (top of range was 250).
-I've never had the other marker tests before so nothing to compare them to.
-A CT scan about 18 months ago showed mildly enlarged spleen and abdominal lymph nodes. Doctor didn't think it was anything serious and dismissed.
-I am constantly exhausted and just no energy.
-I have shortness of breath with exertion and irregular heartbeats with more intense exertion.
-I am always hot and sweat excessively.

Also, this may sound weird but I'm so sick of feeling bad that if I have testicular cancer and treating that will help me feel better than I'm all for it. I don't want to have cancer and I don't want to go through surgery, treatment, etc but I want to feel better.

I'd love to hear opinions on my situation and I will post results as soon as I know more.

[Scott]

There's a very good chance that you don't have testicular cancer, but we'll know more after your ultrasound. Hang in there, and I hope you'll get some answers soon about what's behind your symptoms.

[inet]

Thanks Scott. The waiting is the hardest part. I just want to figure out what's wrong with me whether it's TC or something else and get to feeling better. Also, I worry about not catching something early so I'm trying to be as proactive as possible.

[Scott]

I hear you!

[MJR]

Hello Inet.

Aside from the nodule itself, nothing else really sounds like TC to me, at least nothing along the lines of what I had experienced. However, there were quite a few things you've said that makes me wonder if you should have your thyroid checked out. It sounds almost like you're experiencing hypo- or hyperthyroidism.

I was recently diagnosed with thyroid cancer (I'm 39) and while the cancer itself is asymptomatic, it was effecting my thyroid in a way where I suffered many symptoms like the constant exhaustion/lethargy, problems breathing, chest pains and a lower tolerance than usual to heat and cold. Although it might be mere coincidence, I also had a urinary tract infection (urinated blood) a month or so before my diagnosis.

I'm not saying it sounds like thyroid cancer at all (there are other thyroid-related causes for the same problems), but I'd suggest doing a little research on thyroid issues. Talk to your doctor about having your T3, T4 and TSH levels checked in your blood if anything you read up on sounds like something you're going through.

Keep us updated either way. Good luck.

[Paul54]

I agree that you most likely don't have TC, but the ultrasound will help rule that out. Your other symptoms are serious and I'm glad you're following up on those. Want a second opinion? OK, the waiting does suck.

[inet]

Well, I appreciate the feedback and encouragement from you guys. All I can think about right now is the ultrasound tomorrow and I'm starting to worry more now. I check the spot a couple times a day and it's definitely hard and part of the testicle and doesn't hurt at all. I've looked at a ton of pictures online of ultrasounds showing testicular cancer. I'm hoping I can see the screen tomorrow and get an idea for myself of what's going on. Do you know if I'll be able to get a copy of the ultrasound images myself? I know the technicians aren't supposed to discuss the results with the patient but is there anything I can ask the tech that would be an obvious clue? I was thinking something like "So, can I wait a few weeks to go back to the doctor?". I don't see the urologist again until next Tuesday and can't help but want to know the results now. I just have a really bad feeling about this and I'm just trying to prepare myself for the worst and maybe it will end up being nothing.

[MJR]

You wont have to wait a few weeks for the results. When I had mine done on a Friday they were sent to my doctor by the following Thursday, so you should know what the results were by mid to late next week.

My surgeon sent me to the film library at the hospital to pick up a CD of my scan myself, but that was a few weeks later. I had to sign for it, state my reasons and all of that. So I don't know how much success you'll really have there, at least pertaining to getting results before your doctor does. If you ask me, even if you do get them, you'll probably only stress yourself out more until the professional opinion comes down.

On a side note, it's weird, but both times I was diagnosed with cancer I just knew. Like a 6th sense. Long before the doctors told me, before the scans and the blood work, even as early as my first visit or two. I did my own research and I just knew it wasn't something else for some reason, although I certainly hoped. By the time the doctors actually said it, both times, I didn't even blink an eye at the news. For me, waiting for the diagnosis was like waiting for someone to get the punchline after you tell them a joke they don't get at first. When the doctors finally got there, I was already asking about the next 2 or 3 steps. I've never felt that with any other illness. Just cancer. I just knew. Strangest thing...

[Geoff]

I'm hoping I can see the screen tomorrow and get an idea for myself of what's going on. Do you know if I'll be able to get a copy of the ultrasound images myself? I know the technicians aren't supposed to discuss the results with the patient but is there anything I can ask the tech that would be an obvious clue?

I find ultrasounds really difficult to read, and you may not want to make your own conclusions. However, if the tech is nice. they may tell you if they see anything abnormal. Or, like in my case, they may ask the radiologist to come in to take a look. Of course, he also brought in 2 residents, and there's nothing like having your pants down with 3 women and one man you don't know poking around and looking at your privates.

In serious though, waiting is part of it and it sucks, but try to distract yourself until you can find out. And maybe the report will be done sooner and you can pick it up.

[inet]

I had the ultrasound today. I tried talking with the tech a little and she was very nice. She said they would tell me if there was anything life threatening otherwise anything else would be discussed with my urologist. I definitely wasn't told about anything life threatening so maybe everything looks ok or not serious. She said my dr will have the results on Monday and then I have an appt with him on Tuesday. A few more days and I should know for sure but I got the feeling from the tech that there wasn't anything to worry about. Just the way she told me to go home, relax and to have a good weekend.

Even if everything is ok, I will let you guys know. This forum has been great reading. I've definitely learned a lot and it's knowledge I'm very glad that I've acquired. I've never done monthly TSE's but I will from now on no matter how this particular situation turns out.

[inet]

I do not have testicular cancer. The ultrasound showed a benign cyst. I just wanted to let you all know. Take care.

[Scott]

I do not have testicular cancer. The ultrasound showed a benign cyst.

That's cause for celebration!

[Aegean]

Congrats!!

I would, however, like to point out that unless what you feel is a hard, hard lump that is firmly attached to your testicle... there is an enormously good chance it is not TC, and certainly better than 50/50 (which by the way is the title of a recent movie about a 27 year old dealing with a cancer diagnosis).

As seen above, it is better to get a professional diagnosis, then setting your own odds. The fact is that TC is extremely rare, except here on this forum. And most conditions affecting testicles are not TC, but should still be brought to the attention of a medical professional (and I do not mean Dr. Google).