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Anybody been through this, or can offer some knowledge?-dh going for ultrasound tomorrow for enlarged testicle

55 replies

crushedintherush · 13/01/2013 11:14

My dh went to see his gp last monday (7th jan) due to an enlarged testicle that he said he has had for a couple of weeks previously. The gp referred him straightaway to a urologist as he couldn't say what it was, so 2 days later he received a letter to see the consultant for an appointment. He went to the appointment on Friday (11th jan) and the consultant said it was either a tumour or an infection. He organised an ultrasound for him which is tomorrow (Monday). They say if it is a tumour, it'll be taken out this week.
Hopefully it is an infection, but if its a tumour, would he have a biopsy at the same time as the op to see if the tumour is cancerous?
Dh says he has no pain in his scrotum area, just an aching when he is sat by his desk at work as there is not much 'room' in between his legs ,if you get my meaning, due to the enlarged testicle. I would have thought that if it was an infection, that there would be some sort of ' feeling', like, a throbbing or something.
He won't let me come to the scan with him as he says I'll be a PITA (charming ,I'm sure), so I am
going to be sat at work worrying as you can imagine. His scan isn't til 3.30 aaarrggghhh. Please advise, or help .

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Twosugarsplease · 13/01/2013 12:20

Hi crushed didn't want to run, I'm going through same situation with my dh, he has quite a large nodule on his thyroid, had ultra sound last Monday, waiting for biopsy, to make sure it isn't malignant.
I'm beside myself. So holding your hand.
I really hope all is ok with your dh.
I'm sorry II have no knowledge on this particular matter, but MN'rs will soon come your way, they have helped/eased my mind enormously.

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crushedintherush · 13/01/2013 12:29

Thanks for your support, twosugars, it means a lot, and I hope all goes well with your dh's biopsy. Fingers crossed for him:)

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CaseyShraeger · 13/01/2013 12:49

My brother has had both thyroid cancer and testicular cancer (there's some suggestion that the treatment for thyroid cancer can put you at increased risk of developing testicular cancer later on, so men who've had thyroid cancer need to be particularly vigilant about checks).


The good news is that by and large if you catch them early these are good cancers to have, with excellent survival rates (there are some very aggressive forms of both but they are uncommon).


They should biopsy the tumour when they remove it; if it is malignant then the type of cancer will determine the treatment. In my brother's case he had a CT scan to see whether it had spread; if it hadn't spread at all he'd have just had chemotherapy, but his had spread to his lymph nodes so he needed radiotherapy as well. If it's spread beyond the lymph nodes then obviously it's more worrying but even then survival rates are (for most types) pretty good. If you only need chemotherapy then long-term fertility will probably be unaffected; if you need radiotherapy as well then it will be so you'd be offered an opportunity to have sperm frozen before starting chemo.

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CaseyShraeger · 13/01/2013 12:51

But obviously let's hope it isn't a tumour/isn't malignant so that you won't have to worry about any of that...

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freelancescientist · 13/01/2013 12:52

Have been through this with a previous partner - a few years ago now so some things may have changed. He had the same symptoms - just a bit achy and getting in the way type feeling.
If it is a tumour they will remove the whole testicle and examine it to determine if it is malignant and if so which type it is. They do this through the groin so he'll have an incision a bit like an appendix scar. They don't do biopsies first, or only take a bit,the whole thing comes out - we found this a bit of a shock so best to be prepared.
An infection wouldn't necessarily hurt, so it could be either.
If it IS a tumour then testicular cancer is one of the most easily treated and very curable.
Wishing you all the best.

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crushedintherush · 13/01/2013 13:49

Freelance, yes, the consultant said the whole thing would come out if a tumour, so at least we are prepared for that. We were having a joke earlier that if it happens, his voice will end up like Michael Jacksons ha ha (glad it's only the one testicle then).
He is so calm really, not like me who is faffing about like an idiot. He says he's looking forward to time off work, I just DEFINITELY hope then that it is just an infection...good job we can laugh.
It is comforting to know that it's easily treatable, I read somewhere that it was, but its great to hear it from people who know somebody who has been through it firsthand.
Casey its interesting to read, for want of a better word, the suggestion that thyroid and
testicular cancer are linked. DH has never had problems with his thyroid, it goes to show
how complex our bodies are. We are in our mid-late 40's so the sperm freezing doesn't
apply to us, but thanks for all your info. I will update results/info of ultrasound tomorrow evening.

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Twosugarsplease · 13/01/2013 14:11

Yes we're done with little ones too Smile
crushed your dh sounds like he has same attitude as mine, with having a joke, which is good, I on the other hand just can't stop worrying.
I do find though crushed, that it has helped so much, like info given to you that they are very treatable (if) cancers.
So when I get my worry head on, If worst comes to worst, I think of that.

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crushedintherush · 13/01/2013 15:38

Wish us women wouldn't worry as much, twosugars, but we do, don't we? I lie in bed some nights worrying over the most trivial of things while he is snoring his head off! Why can't us women be like that ?

As far as little ones are concerned, we don't have children, well, not unless we class our dh's as children, then I have one hee hee. Children never came along and, tbh, we weren't too bothered as we enjoy the lifestyle we have.

Thanks for your support, you've been lovely, hopefully fingers crossed, it'll be an infection.
Watch this space.....

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digerd · 13/01/2013 16:20

Testicular cancer is very easy to cure, even if it has spread. Armstrong, the famous cyclist, had it and had sprerad to lungs and liver. He was still cured.
My nephew had it and had spread to some lymph glands in his stomach. Amazingly, he had only 1 injection of chemo each month for 2 months and was cured. The dead tumours had to be operatively removed. But he's cured.

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crushedintherush · 13/01/2013 16:49

Digerd, glad you're nephew was cured, and Lance Armstrong of course. Thanks for that.

It seems that although the word cancer is used often, and medicine has come on in leaps and bounds over the years, it doesn't stop the awful thoughts that come into your head when people, or their loved ones, are faced with the possibility of having it.

We are just hoping its an infection, but we'll get through it ok if it is a tumour and malignant, I know we will, especially with all the positive information coming our way:)
At least we'll know this time tomorrow :)

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Twosugarsplease · 13/01/2013 19:16

I'll be thinking of you, this time last week was the eve of do's ultra sound, I couldn't eat.
Stay positive I'll be popping in and out of thread tomorrow.

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Twosugarsplease · 13/01/2013 19:20

Dp not do Confused

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crushedintherush · 13/01/2013 19:35

Thanks, twosugars, I wont be home til 5.30, his scan is 3.30 but he wont be home til the same time as me. It will be late when I post anything, depending on the outcome of course. Keeping everything crossed for my dh. Hope the biopsy comes soon for your dh, big hugs from me :)

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Twosugarsplease · 14/01/2013 14:47

Hi crushed just posting on off chance your twiddling your thumbs on here, and to keep your thread going.
Hope your ok, I'll post again later Brew

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crushedintherush · 14/01/2013 18:44

Hi, twosugars, thanks for looking out for me, just managed to grab some time and update on dh's progress.

Dh had the scan, but its all still up in the air. The doctor that was present says its not an infection but not sure if it is a tumour, though not ruling it out completely ( much headscratching going on here).

He had an abdo scan too and nothing showed up, which is great, shows its still localised, whatever it is. The doctor says they will need to take tissue samples (biopsy?) to find out once and for all what it is, and is writing to dh consultant to arrange this.

So more waiting.....

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Twosugarsplease · 14/01/2013 19:33

Hello ! Aww crushed I know where your at right now, expecting some answers, and some good news, that was me last week.
So none the wiser, but sounds very good that it is localised, you have that at least, and that he isn't sure if it's a tumor ? I would take as something else to hold on to, as he must know one for sure when he sees one.
Yes it will be the biopsy next, that's what we're waiting for.
Draining fluid from it to test.
You know, I just keep thinking, if the consultant at my dp's ultra sound was concerned at all, surely he would have had the biopsy by now.
I know they can't be super quick because I'm throwing tantrum, but wishful thinking I suppose.
So still worrying and frustrating for you both, (or as my dp would say, more me as I'm a typical woman) but a tiny bit more in the know.
At this point crushed I decided to air off on here, to keep me busy until the biopsy, and it makes me feel so comforted by MN'rs in the know who have experienced this or perhaps medical experts themselves.
Also what digerd said that these (if) cancers are two of the most treatable, and I think of that when I start to worry.
Can I also suggest the tamoxifen thread, it is also about partners waiting for news, a support thread for those concerned, and most have or their partners have cancer, I keep looking to see if there is a post I can relate to, maybe that will help you too.
Enjoy the rest of your evening, please come back to keep updated, or PM me anytime for a sound off Grin

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crushedintherush · 15/01/2013 17:22

Update:

All I can say is OMG....

Dh got a call this afternoon from the hospital today. He is being admitted tomorrow.

The doctor at the scan said yesterday that if we didn't hear anything before the end of the week, we would have to ring the hospital, so a little shocked that it is tomorrow.
Wasn't quite prepared for that. Keeping everything crossed for him :-[

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digerd · 15/01/2013 17:51

What a shock, but at least the sooner the better. Did they say it was for the biopsy or to remove the lump/testicle?
Good luck for tomorrow.

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CaseyShraeger · 15/01/2013 18:09

Good luck! Hope it's a good result for him.

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Twosugarsplease · 15/01/2013 18:36

Hi crushed I wonder if it is for the biopsy ? My dh's appointment for it was supposed to be 3 days after, although there was something not right with appointments all seemed a bit of a mix up when we got there, told us to come back 2 hrs later ! And even then no biopsy. But that's our outpatients dept.
Did they ask him to book into day surgery or out -patients ?
Sending a reassuring hug >>

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freelancescientist · 15/01/2013 20:49

Hope all goes well tomorrow.

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Twosugarsplease · 16/01/2013 10:46

Sending good wishes your way today crushed

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crushedintherush · 16/01/2013 14:43

Hi all, thanks again for your support.

We attended the Day surgery unit at 8.00am. They would not allow relatives to stay, so I couldn't find out any info at that time, and I had to leave, which was very upsetting.

Dh has just texted me to say he is ready to go down to theatre.

He is having the testicle removed, rather than the biopsy. He hasn't said why, all I do know is that his consultant was there, He is hoping to be out tonight, but we'll see.

The house is spick and span due the bundle of nerves I've been today.

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Chigley1 · 16/01/2013 14:49

Hi

Sorry you're both going through this, we went through exactly the same 11 years ago.

Generally they don't biopsy until after removal as IF it is malignant tumour there is a risk that the biopsy itself will cause cells to be released and spread.

Your DH will have an appendix type scar (probably) and be a bit sore for a while. Feel free to PM me if you wish.

(hugs)

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digerd · 16/01/2013 15:41

House work can be very thereaputic, to take your mind off things.
When you said he was being admitted, it sounded like an op and not a biopsy. And my DN had it removed and then tested for type and stage.
His was a SERATOMA with a few secondaries in his outer stomach area, but was cured with just 2 injections in 2 months.
He did have the whole testicle removed, but still has his other one.
Good luck , and hope he is not in much pain after the op.

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