Think I Have Testicular Cancer.. Need Advice

TheHumanSpider · 10-05-2018 9:06pm #1

Hey everyone,

I'm having a bit of a crisis at the moment and I'm just looking to hear from people who have either had similar experiences or just advice or thoughts in general.

I'm a 24yo male and last week after a hot shower, I examined myself and noticed a small pimple sized lump (size of a grain of salt) on my right testicle.
At first I didn't worry but then it started to play on my mind A LOT and I start googling what it could be (I know.. worst thing I could have done) and nearly everything has pointed towards Testicular Cancer.
I do have a bit of a dull pain in my right testicle maybe 1 out of 10 on the pain scale and not all the time, but I think that's only because I've been constantly examing it (didn't have a dull pain before I felt the lump).
I don't have any other symptoms such as lower back pain, pain in abdomen, shortness of breathe or anything like that.
I told my partner and she told me to go to my GP just to get it checked so I've booked an appointment for tomorrow.

Yesterday and today, I've tried to feel it again and yesterday it took me 25 minutes to find it and I can't even find it today.

I'm afraid that my GP won't be able to feel it and will say I'm fine OR will feel it and say I need an ultrasound.

If my GP can't feel it, should I still request an ultrasound, for peace of mind?

I'm so ****ing nervous and I can't help but keep thinking the worst. I keep thinking of things like, how will I tell my Mam if I do have TC, what if I can't have kids, what if it has spread and I'm not cureable and I die.. etc. I know it's dark and I should be positive but I'm just worried so much.

I'm sorry for spewing on so much, just feel like I needed to get this stress off my chest and I know there has been some threads on Boards with some incredible people who have went through TC and came out fighting.

Thanks everyone.

super_furry · 10-05-2018 9:11pm

Go to your GP. If it's that small though I don't think you have too much to worry about. You have no other symptoms and there's a lot of tubing and veins in there so it could be anything.

If you can't find it now, I wouldn't be at all concerned. I went to a GP with something that was definitely there and still is but after an exam he assured me it was where a tube (epididymis) connected to old lefty.

You're jumping a million miles ahead needlessly, but make sure you go to your GP for peace of mind if nothing else.

_Brian · 10-05-2018 9:12pm

My nephew similar age agonised through the same thing and went for ultrasound.
Nothing serious showed up, just a cist.

Just because there’s a lump doesn’t mean it’s cancer.

elperello · 10-05-2018 9:14pm

GP - now.

banie01 · 10-05-2018 9:14pm

Deep breaths.
Yes finding a lump, any lump down there is a ball of stress inducing emotions.
But, the very real likelihood is that it is a naturally occurring lump, it is really common and not being able to find it again would indicate that it is likely not serious.
Your Doc is the ideal person to check it out and believe me if there is any indication of any need for further testing you will be looked after.
It's easier said than done, but wait til you speak to your GP and stay the fùck away from Google, it only fuels anxiety.

Your GP will look after you better than any randomer offering advice.
Hope it all goes ok when you get into them, and don't be afraid to discuss the fear either.

wiz569 · 10-05-2018 9:16pm

I had it years ago, if caught early its one of the easiest and most successfully treatable cancers,

When I started getting a dull ache I checked myself, wasn't sure if I had a lump but it was definitely swollen,in so much that you knew there was something wrong, so in your case I wouldn't be overly concerned

But definitely go to the Doc anyway

Will I Am Not · 10-05-2018 9:23pm

Sounds identical to my experience a few years ago. Lump was a bit bigger in my case. Turned out to be a harmless cyst. The dull ache is most likely from examining it. Best to go to the GP and get sent for ultrasound to be sure and for peace of mind.

Rubberchikken · 10-05-2018 9:27pm

My son went through this a few years ago.
A check by a gp who wasnt sure so he was sent to the hospital just for a double check. All was fine. I can appreciate the fear youre feeling so go to your gp and itll help put your mind at rest.
Wishing you the best.

spockety · 10-05-2018 11:22pm

Just to add to the "try not to worry" chorus, I found something more like the size of a pea than a grain of salt down there when I was not much older than you. I also panicked slightly, but went to GP who referred me for an ultra sound. I was assuming the worst and my brain was racing like yours is now.

As with others here, it turned out to be a harmless benign cyst which the ultrasound dude confirmed pretty much on the spot. It was still there for years after but I think it may have disappeared eventually. Try not to worry, the chances are far higher that it's nothing to fear than that it is.

Balmed Out · 10-05-2018 11:26pm

Ten years clear myself, just go get it checked out.

For your peace of mind do realize cancer is no where near the most probable issue. Someone is far more likely to describe on the internet their battle with cancer then some innocuous problem that disappeared after a gp visit so google etc will give you a massively skewed view of whats likely to be wrong.

Keyzer · 11-05-2018 10:35am

I wouldn't jump to conclusions right away, go to a doctor and have it checked.

Was in a similar situation years back, worried sick. Doc took one look and told me it was nothing, a harmless spot on the outside of the ball sack.

Get it checked though.

TheHumanSpider · 11-05-2018 11:06am

Thanks everyone for your replies.
I know I'm jumping the gun a bit and shouldn't worry too much but it's just scary to think what the outcome might be.
I think googling it sent me over the edge and didn't help my anxiety. I tried feeling for the lump today and I can't find it, I know it's there somewhere but it's just difficult to find because it's small.

I have an appointment with my GP this evening so I will let you all know what the craic is.
I think that I'll still request an ultrasound, even if my GP can't find it or tells me that I'm fine, just for peace of mind!

salmocab · 11-05-2018 11:10am

I found a lump years back went straight to the doc he had a feel and basically said jaysus there is certainly something there went for an ultrasound and it turned out to be nothing but I had a few days of torture but better to go straight at it. Good luck

TheHumanSpider · 11-05-2018 8:52pm

Just an update - went to my GP and she could feel the lump and said it feels like an epididymal cyst but can't be too sure so is gonna refer me for an ultrasound.
Hopefully I can get one early next week, to say I'm nervous is an understatement.

salmocab · 11-05-2018 8:59pm

TheHumanSpider wrote: »

Just an update - went to my GP and she could feel the lump and said it feels like an epididymal cyst but can't be too sure so is gonna refer me for an ultrasound.
Hopefully I can get one early next week, to say I'm nervous is an understatement.

Chances are it’s nowt but no point in me saying don’t stress, mine was a cyst and it was just a dose of some antibiotics or something like that and that was the end of it. Good luck though maybe try to be busy over the weekend

elperello · 11-05-2018 9:57pm

TheHumanSpider wrote: »

Just an update - went to my GP and she could feel the lump and said it feels like an epididymal cyst but can't be too sure so is gonna refer me for an ultrasound.
Hopefully I can get one early next week, to say I'm nervous is an understatement.

Get that appointment ASAP.
Don't take no for an answer.

TheHumanSpider · 14-05-2018 3:05pm

Another update - Was able to get an Ultrasound appointment for tomorrow evening.

Quick question for anyone that has had a testicular ultrasound :- Do they tell you at the end whether they've found something or not? Or do you just have to wait until they send the results back to your GP?

I'm so nervous I can't even eat today.
I did some further examining on myself and the small pimple sized lump is at the top of my right testicle where the epididymis is. I really hope everything turns out okay and it's just a cyst.

All this worrying is the worst part because your brain starts to fill in the information that you don't have and you automatically assume the worst.

wiz569 · 14-05-2018 3:14pm

TheHumanSpider wrote: »

Another update - Was able to get an Ultrasound appointment for tomorrow evening.

Quick question for anyone that has had a testicular ultrasound :- Do they tell you at the end whether they've found something or not? Or do you just have to wait until they send the results back to your GP?

I'm so nervous I can't even eat today.
I did some further examining on myself and the small pimple sized lump is at the top of my right testicle where the epididymis is. I really hope everything turns out okay and it's just a cyst.

All this worrying is the worst part because your brain starts to fill in the information that you don't have and you automatically assume the worst.

All the guy said to me was to go see my doctor asap,wouldnt confirm or deny at the time.

skallywag · 14-05-2018 3:23pm

TheHumanSpider wrote: »

Quick question for anyone that has had a testicular ultrasound :- Do they tell you at the end whether they've found something or not? Or do you just have to wait until they send the results back to your GP?

In my own experience of such medical examinations you will usually be let know verbally if the conclusion from their side is that you are in the clear, though this is just my own experience.

tropturnzi · 14-05-2018 3:48pm

TheHumanSpider wrote: »

Another update - Was able to get an Ultrasound appointment for tomorrow evening.

Quick question for anyone that has had a testicular ultrasound :- Do they tell you at the end whether they've found something or not? Or do you just have to wait until they send the results back to your GP?

I'm so nervous I can't even eat today.
I did some further examining on myself and the small pimple sized lump is at the top of my right testicle where the epididymis is. I really hope everything turns out okay and it's just a cyst.

All this worrying is the worst part because your brain starts to fill in the information that you don't have and you automatically assume the worst.

Hey , ya chatting to someone who had TC aged 21

From the sounds of it , i say it just a cyst . I know the worrying side of things are hard to control and its a bitch . Try stay away from google first of all. Never gunna find anything positive from it lol.

in regards to the ultra sound , i dont know if thye give ya the results there n then if it all good. i just know that they sent my results to a specialist cause obvo mine was TC at the time.

lets just say it is worst case scenerio to help put ya more at ease ( most likely wont be for you by the sounds of things. as i said , i say your is a cyst )

first of all , a bad lump feels about as firm as a steering wheel on a car when u sqeeze it ... thats the best way i can describe it . mine was quite large aswell . i say it was nearly half the size of my ball and even with that , i was only stage 1b. yours seems to be pretty small and in the region where cysts r most likely to originate .

if it is a bad lump . they will remove it . simple as . quick procedure.
as weird as this sound , if u ever were to get cancer , then TC is the one u want . its like a over 90% cure rate . look at lance armstrong. had stage 4 , spread to his brain... guy still living . so dont worry , u most certainly aint going to die my friend.

if it is a bad lump . it doesnt mean ur going to need chemo at all. there are many cases where people catch it very early and just get the operation to get it removed and thats it . think the keeper for bradford had it before and this was his case , arjen robben also .

if it gets removed , u can still have kids.. u just need one . i had tests after my opt , and i was still way above average .

Try stay relaxed. i know its difficult , but trying to predict the future or worrying about it wont help anything. try do stuff to keep your mind off things. i promise u that everything will be ok for u and i would be very surprised if u have anything. feel free to hit me up if u got any questions though man . best of luck

Pelvis · 14-05-2018 3:51pm

I went for an ultrasound once and the guy doing it told me it wasn't nothing to worry about it.

Try and relax OP, in the majority of cases it's nothing.

salmocab · 14-05-2018 4:22pm

As far as I remember the ultra sound girl said it looked like it was just a cyst but they’d send the scans to whoever and I got a call a few days later saying it was all good

Captcha · 14-05-2018 4:24pm

Had a similar crisis at that age, turned out to by a cyst and went away by itself in a few weeks

munster87 · 14-05-2018 4:29pm

TheHumanSpider wrote: »

Another update - Was able to get an Ultrasound appointment for tomorrow evening.

Quick question for anyone that has had a testicular ultrasound :- Do they tell you at the end whether they've found something or not? Or do you just have to wait until they send the results back to your GP?

I'm so nervous I can't even eat today.
I did some further examining on myself and the small pimple sized lump is at the top of my right testicle where the epididymis is. I really hope everything turns out okay and it's just a cyst.

All this worrying is the worst part because your brain starts to fill in the information that you don't have and you automatically assume the worst.

Had 2 in the last few years. First said to me that there was no cancer and the second one a few years later wouldn’t say anything and said wait for my gp to contact me. Both times were just cysts so it depends on the technician whether they tell you anything or not and it’s not a good or bad sign if they don’t tell you anything!

fattymoon · 14-05-2018 7:19pm

munster87 wrote: »

Had 2 in the last few years. First said to me that there was no cancer and the second one a few years later wouldn’t say anything and said wait for my gp to contact me. Both times were just cysts so it depends on the technician whether they tell you anything or not and it’s not a good or bad sign if they don’t tell you anything!

+1. In my case I was told (after about 30 seconds) "So there is no evidence of cancer here whatsoever". My GP also ran blood tests (to do with the prostate I think) and everything was clear. "It's just one of those things" my GP told me. 8 years ago. No issues whatsoever since. I would say if there is anything there, I would imagine they'd have you admitted straight away.

TheHumanSpider · 14-05-2018 9:55pm

Thanks everyone for all your replies.
You's have definitely calmed my brain down a little and hopefully I'll be able to get some sleep tonight *fingers crossed*.
The first place that my GP recommended me to go for an Ultrasound couldn't give me an appointment until the first week of June.
I WAS NOT going to wait until then because I'd go through mental torture so decided to shop around and now have an appointment tomorrow evening in a different clinic.

I'm delighted that it is tomorrow, but also incredibly nervous at the same time. Just want this experience to be over and done with.

I'll keep you all updated and let you know how I get on tomorrow. Fingers and toes crossed that everything goes well.

Bob Harris · 14-05-2018 10:39pm

I had a dull ache a few years ago in my right testicle. Turns out it was a minor hernia in the lower abdomen putting pressure on a nerve that produced the pain lower down. Not every pain you get there will be testicular cancer. You are doing the right thing to check though.

Balmed Out · 15-05-2018 10:57am

TheHumanSpider wrote: »

Thanks everyone for all your replies.
You's have definitely calmed my brain down a little and hopefully I'll be able to get some sleep tonight *fingers crossed*.
The first place that my GP recommended me to go for an Ultrasound couldn't give me an appointment until the first week of June.
I WAS NOT going to wait until then because I'd go through mental torture so decided to shop around and now have an appointment tomorrow evening in a different clinic.

I'm delighted that it is tomorrow, but also incredibly nervous at the same time. Just want this experience to be over and done with.

I'll keep you all updated and let you know how I get on tomorrow. Fingers and toes crossed that everything goes well.

When I had mine there was a trainee with the ultrasound doc and their mumbling left me no doubt there was something. They then told me there was a tumour and sent me immediately to a consultant. I doubt people with tumours are sent off to wait to find out. I think mine was removed either the next day or two days later.

TheHumanSpider · 15-05-2018 12:50pm

Balmed Out wrote: »

When I had mine there was a trainee with the ultrasound doc and their mumbling left me no doubt there was something. They then told me there was a tumour and sent me immediately to a consultant. I doubt people with tumours are sent off to wait to find out. I think mine was removed either the next day or two days later.

Oh god, don't tell me that

I'm not even gonna look at the monitor or the sonographer! I really hope they don't tell me something like that because I haven't even told my Mam about any of this.
She's a single parent and I'm an only child and if I told her I was going for an Ultrasound because I found a lump she'd probably collapse with fear.
I don't know how I could possibly tell her that I'd have to go for surgery within the next few days :eek:

Today is just an anxiety filled day.

Alanstrainor · 15-05-2018 1:06pm

TheHumanSpider wrote: »

Oh god, don't tell me that
I'm not even gonna look at the monitor or the sonographer! I really hope they don't tell me something like that because I haven't even told my Mam about any of this.
She's a single parent and I'm an only child and if I told her I was going for an Ultrasound because I found a lump she'd probably collapse with fear.
I don't know how I could possibly tell her that I'd have to go for surgery within the next few days :eek:

Today is just an anxiety filled day.

Best of luck man. It's obviously a very stressful time, but you're just going to have to wait and see. No matter what happens you did the right thing, and you can take the next steps as they come. Fingers crossed all is fine.

Balmed Out · 15-05-2018 1:12pm

TheHumanSpider wrote: »

Oh god, don't tell me that
I'm not even gonna look at the monitor or the sonographer! I really hope they don't tell me something like that because I haven't even told my Mam about any of this.
She's a single parent and I'm an only child and if I told her I was going for an Ultrasound because I found a lump she'd probably collapse with fear.
I don't know how I could possibly tell her that I'd have to go for surgery within the next few days :eek:

Today is just an anxiety filled day.

Didnt mean to frighten you, intended to reassure that they wouldnt send you home worrying and worst case scenario worst of it is over quickly. Remember chances of it being cancer are very very small, lots more likely scenarios.

Think I Have Testicular Cancer.. Need Advice

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