Re: Testicle pain symptom of cancer?

Posted By Doug Bank on October 09, 1998 at 09:56:05:

In Reply to: Re: Testicle pain symptom of cancer? posted by Lisa on October 08, 1998 at 22:24:18:






My husband has been having sharp, sudden, acute pain in his left testicle which sometimes extends into the inside of his left thigh.  Naturally, I cannot convince him to see a doctor, but I am concerned that he should be screened for testicular or prostate cancer.  We have been told that prostate problems run in his family, but he is only 29 years old and in very good health otherwise.  The pain was just occasional when it first began (6 months ago or more) but is becoming more regular.  He describes the pain as a recurring, shooting pain that can continue up to 15 minutes at times.  It does not seem to follow any particular physical activity, and he seems to have no other symptoms or problems with urination or swelling.  Should he be screened for cancer?
Oh, yes, I should mention that he does ride a mountain bike regularly and in the past has lifted weights regularly although he currently does not.
Thank you,
Lisa
Lisa,
I am not a doctor, so keep checking back for their answer. Better yet, don't wait for them to respond. Make an appointment for him with a urologist right now!
OK, now since I'm not a doctor and since no one can examine him over the net, there is no way to say if it is or is not cancer. Could it be cancer? Absolutely! Could it be something else? Possibly. Should he see a doctor anyway? Well, I wouldn't want to have to deal with unnecessary testicular pain, but that's just me (and most other people). In my opinion, whatever it is, be it cancer, hernia, epididymitis, varicocele, torsion, or whatever, it needs to be treated and not ignored.
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among men between the ages of 15 and 35. Often times it presents without any pain, and that is stressed in the description of TC because you can imagine how hard it would be to get your husband to see the doctor if he DIDN't have any pain. However, my experience (and I have a lot) indicates that about half of the guys who are diagnosed with testicular cancer have some kind of pain.
Testicular cancer is very curable, but the cure is far more bearable when the cancer is caught early. If I were you, I would do whatever it takes to get him to see the doctor. BTW, you didn't mention anything besides the pain. Do you happen to know if he has any lumps ON his testicle?
Good Luck
Doug Bank
Editor, Testicular Cancer Resource Center


Testicular Cancer Resource Center