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Method of testicle removal, URGENT
Hello,
this question is urgent and I don't know where to turn. I am 35 years old and I'm having an operation to remove a testicle in two days. It's been giving me pain for some time now and was originally a testicle that never descended properly. It's considerably smaller than my other one. The thing is, the surgeon said he'll remove the testicle through the scrotum. Yet, I've read recently that normally this is done through the groin in order to avoid any possible cancer spreading. The surgeon said that it doesn't look like cancer to him. He did a ultrasound but did not take any blood tests. Should I be concerned?
Please help,
Stephen
this question is urgent and I don't know where to turn. I am 35 years old and I'm having an operation to remove a testicle in two days. It's been giving me pain for some time now and was originally a testicle that never descended properly. It's considerably smaller than my other one. The thing is, the surgeon said he'll remove the testicle through the scrotum. Yet, I've read recently that normally this is done through the groin in order to avoid any possible cancer spreading. The surgeon said that it doesn't look like cancer to him. He did a ultrasound but did not take any blood tests. Should I be concerned?
Please help,
Stephen
I’m so glad to read this. It took guts to do what you did (on the day of surgery no less.) it pays to be your own advocate and choose what’s best for you. You may have also helped other guys by giving the doctors another way of looking at this procedure for men with the same concerns. I’m glad you liked the tccancer site they have a wealth of information and are some of the best people going.
Many wishes for continued health here on out.
Many wishes for continued health here on out.
Hello Everyone,
just wanted to update you on my situation. Thanks to all the great advice I got off you lads, I was able to voice my concern to the surgeon and insist on an inguinal orchiectomy. The surgeon was very good about it, I would have thought his ego would have been bruised (he recommended the original method), and said he'd be happy to oblige. The situation was a little surreal, as I was literally outside the operating theater before I was assured that my wishes would be respected. The odd thing is though, two other doctors saw the incision afterwards and seemed surprised that I chose that method?!?!
Anyway, the deed is done and I'm a little lighter. I still have some pain (not at the incision mind you) and won't be getting on the bike for a while yet. I'll be getting results back on the biopsy in the next couple of days..................but that's for another day.
To anyone out there who may be as nervous as I was a few days ago, I can tell you already that everything is functioning as normal.
Many thanks to all of you again for your help.
Regards,
Timmey
p.s. sage009 thanks for the tc-cancer website, it was great help.
just wanted to update you on my situation. Thanks to all the great advice I got off you lads, I was able to voice my concern to the surgeon and insist on an inguinal orchiectomy. The surgeon was very good about it, I would have thought his ego would have been bruised (he recommended the original method), and said he'd be happy to oblige. The situation was a little surreal, as I was literally outside the operating theater before I was assured that my wishes would be respected. The odd thing is though, two other doctors saw the incision afterwards and seemed surprised that I chose that method?!?!
Anyway, the deed is done and I'm a little lighter. I still have some pain (not at the incision mind you) and won't be getting on the bike for a while yet. I'll be getting results back on the biopsy in the next couple of days..................but that's for another day.
To anyone out there who may be as nervous as I was a few days ago, I can tell you already that everything is functioning as normal.
Many thanks to all of you again for your help.
Regards,
Timmey
p.s. sage009 thanks for the tc-cancer website, it was great help.
Hi,
The first step may be to place a call to your surgeon. Write down your questions before hand make sure you address the fact that you want to feel comfortable about any cancer concerns especially with having a higher risk for tc . The Doctor above said that blood tests are ordered if the ultrasound showed an abnormality so after two negative ultrasounds they must feel confident in what they're seeing. Scrotal surgery's are preformed, the question is this whats right for you. It may even come down to an insurance issue, but you really need to talk to your surgeon or get a second opinion from a urologist in your area. The tc site can be a help you may have testosterone or other issues, you will be living with one testicle tc or not. A lot of the guys on the site find humor in what they're been through it helps. Let us know how it goes.
The first step may be to place a call to your surgeon. Write down your questions before hand make sure you address the fact that you want to feel comfortable about any cancer concerns especially with having a higher risk for tc . The Doctor above said that blood tests are ordered if the ultrasound showed an abnormality so after two negative ultrasounds they must feel confident in what they're seeing. Scrotal surgery's are preformed, the question is this whats right for you. It may even come down to an insurance issue, but you really need to talk to your surgeon or get a second opinion from a urologist in your area. The tc site can be a help you may have testosterone or other issues, you will be living with one testicle tc or not. A lot of the guys on the site find humor in what they're been through it helps. Let us know how it goes.
Hello both of you,
I really really appreciate the sound advise from you all. I have to admit that I'm bricking myself at this stage (going under the knife on Friday). It would seem, from your comments, that any procedure through the scrotum is a very bad idea? I did have an ultrasound (two, in fact) but there was no mention of blood work. I'm going under the knife on Friday but only if this is clarified. In fact, now, I think I'll insist on the other procedure.
By the way, that tccancer.com site is great too.
Many thanks again everyone!!
Stephen
I really really appreciate the sound advise from you all. I have to admit that I'm bricking myself at this stage (going under the knife on Friday). It would seem, from your comments, that any procedure through the scrotum is a very bad idea? I did have an ultrasound (two, in fact) but there was no mention of blood work. I'm going under the knife on Friday but only if this is clarified. In fact, now, I think I'll insist on the other procedure.
By the way, that tccancer.com site is great too.
Many thanks again everyone!!
Stephen
Having an undecended testicle does put you at a higher risk for tc regardless of the odds, your having the testicle removed anyway so why not cover all bases. My boyfriend had the inguinal orchiectomy its an out patient procedure with a quick recovery. Run these questions by your surgeon or maybe seek a second opinion its your decision. By the way if you do have the inguinal procedure a bag of frozen peas in a paper towel works great to soothe the incision site. Everything will turn out fine.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,
If the ultrasound has come out OK, then chances of testicular cancer are very less. Blood tumor markers are done if the ultrasound reports are not normal. This procedure of surgical removal of the testicle is called orchiectomy. It can be simple, subcapsular( in prostate cancer) or inguinal( in testicular cancer). This depends on the pathology that is suspected.
You should discuss all this in detail with your surgeon. You can also refer surgery encyclopedia and read more about this.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.
If the ultrasound has come out OK, then chances of testicular cancer are very less. Blood tumor markers are done if the ultrasound reports are not normal. This procedure of surgical removal of the testicle is called orchiectomy. It can be simple, subcapsular( in prostate cancer) or inguinal( in testicular cancer). This depends on the pathology that is suspected.
You should discuss all this in detail with your surgeon. You can also refer surgery encyclopedia and read more about this.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.
Ultrasounds are pretty accurate when diagnosing testicular cancer. As far as blood tests some men don't show a rise in tumor markers even though there is cancer present. The test is a help for base line numbers if they do show up. (not sure if this is what your doctors thinking) Have you been to tccancer.com? Great site I'm sure someone over there could help you with invaluable info. I would highly recommend you visit their forums and post this question. All the best with your recovery.
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