Cancer Research UK main site

Testicular Cancer, Lump that's sometimes felt and others not

umali
Offline

Hey there,

Some BG info: Male, Age 23. WARNING: Long Post. Added as much detail as I can. TLRD at the end.

So on Wednesday (12/09/2019). I was for some reason having a rummage around me testicles as I was about to uhh take a leak. To my horror, I found what seemed to be a small, (like almost slightly bigger than the tip of a rice grain), hard lump on my right testicle near the Epididymus (sp?). I found this when examining the right testing with my left hand. (this is relevant, I assure you). I attempted to test with my right hand because why not right? Nothing. Couldn't find anything. Which really, really confused me.

So I took a shower just to see whether or not it was the skin just being bunched (it was rather cold tbh..) in the hopes the hot water (like, really Hot, love me a hot shower hehe) would help get it too loosen up so I can have a good feel of things. I found it difficult to find it. But I knew it was there. I'd felt it earllier outside the shower and had a good full around the area. Still no luck.

So. Out of shower, dried. Etc etc. Went to bed with the promise that I'd call me GP for an appointment. I'm too stubborn to let something like this go. 

Wake up in morning, about to have another shower and to my immediate horror, feel the same lump. Same size. Same location. Using the same left hand. Nothing with right tho... Have another shower and again, attempt to find it. No such luck.

So I called GP and they offer me an appointment for the Friday (the next day). Unfortunately (and I wish I didn't), I asked for an appointment for the next week on Wednesday (19/09/2018). Mainly because I wasn't sure whether my employer would allow me the half day/ day off. (I've since found out that for Docs appointments that were made in an emergency or for some urgent reason, I actually only need a a half days notice if I feel its that important - I love my employer, really do).

Since then, I've beside myself with stress. Only going to the Gym has been able to put me mind at rest temporarily. I did call 111 for help (I really needed someone to talk to tbh.. I don't want to tell me family because it'd worry em needlessly and the same for my mates) to see if theres a walk-in centre or some sort of drop in that I can go to. Got a callback from a lovely dude from the NHS and considering I've had 0 other symptoms, he didn't seem all that worried (although he did recommend I ensure I attended the appointment come Wednesday).

So yea.. I've no idea what it is. I just wish it wasn't there so I could get on with my life and my plans!

With regards to this appointment on Wednesday, would it be wrong of me to request an Ultrasound irregardless of whether or not me GP finds something? Again, due to the nature of said lump; it's very umm intermittent :confused:

How much would an Ultrasound cost? I've been told theres up to a 3 week wait time if the GP doesn't consider it too serious. If need be, I've the funds to get one done privately. The longer I wait, the more I'll worry and that's not something that I wanna the people around me through. With regards to my health, money isn't my main priority.

If you've read through that wall of text then I commend you and I wish all the best. 

 

Thanks you again

umali

TLDR: Found tiny lump just a bit larger than the head of a rice grain on right testicle with left hand. Can't find it with right hand. Can only find it in a colder setting.

  • Offline in reply to Joseph17

    Hey [@Joseph17]‍ ,

    How was the Ultrasound? I hope it went well?

  • Offline in reply to umali

    Hey, sorry I didn't update I went asleep as soon as I got home as it was a late appointment, took about 10 minutes and at the end he said everything looks perfectly fine, but that my doctor will still look over them. Just a massive weight off my shoulders to be honest.

  • Offline in reply to Joseph17

    Hey hey, that's great news! Yeah sending to the Doc is literally just an admin thing. Great to here things have gone well for you mate :) 

  • Offline in reply to umali

    1 month later still waiting on ultrasound playing on mind a little

     

  • Offline in reply to jclarge

    Ahh, you've not had your test yet? That's a bit rubbish but I guess due to the Pandemic, things are a bit screwy atm :( 

    Might be worth calling up and checking ot see what's going on?

  • Offline

    Hey there, I am a 14 year old male and since I was around 12 years old I've had a small pea sized lump on the top of my testicle, I had seen another person with a lump on the same location marked on a picture.

    I am quite anxious about it and I'm not really sure how to tell my parents about it? I don't have any pains down in the lower region of my body and the lump hasn't grown in size. May I have any advice on the types of things to say to my dad to get help? This post is open to anyone I just wasn't too sure how to post on this forum.
    many thanks L.

  • Offline in reply to L14

    Hi [@L14]‍ ,

    Please tell your parents. Tell them that you've found a lump on your testicle and you want to get it checked. They will 100% understand.

    Advice on asking your dad for help? So here's what you do. Ask to speak to him in private. That it's super important and it can't wait. Then say and I quote "Dad, I've found a lump on my testicle. I need you to help me see a Doctor to get it checked. We need to get an Ultrasound". Do that asap.

    The fact that it's been there since you was 12 (my lump which turned out to be an Epidymal Cyst - something that is completely benign) has been there for atleast.. 3-4 years. It's not grown in size either.

    But it's a lump in a location that shouldn't have a lump. Regardless of whether it's benign (non-cancerous) or not.

    If you're too nervous to ask your Dad, perhaps (if I'm not being too presumptuous?) ask your Mother? End of the day, they're your parents. They have a duty of care to you and most parents are quite understanding.

    I have faith in your ability to talk to you parents about this.

    Good luck and please keep us updated. I hope it goes well.

    Cheers

    Umali

  • Offline in reply to umali

    Hey there umali, I have told my father and I went to the doctors on Thursday, they said that as I have had it for a while and I've not got any symptoms of anything it shouldn't be serious, they also said that it's highly likely that it is a cyst but I've been referred to an ultrasound just so they can find out what it is. I should be having this scan within 6 weeks time. I feel a lot more relieved and I'm not really bothered now so I have hope that it is nothing serious.

    I'd like to thank you all for helping me to talk on this subject and guide me on what to do.

    L

     

  • Offline in reply to L14

    Hey mate,


    That's good to hear! Yeah I would agree with the doctor(s) at this point. You don't have anything that will and can prove otherwise and there's no use being worried about something that isn't even a thing yet.

    Good luck and keep us updated if you'd like. Rooting for you bud :) 


    Cheers

    Umali

     

  • Offline in reply to umali

    Hi everyone, I've located a hard lump, small but noticeable when relaxed, on my left testicle. The worry is that I've had other symptoms for a while, so I'm already preparing for the worst. I've got a call back with a doctor today, so I'm hoping I can move quickly on this and at least give me a chance. Hoping everyone else gets a good outcome. Robin. 

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.